Mixed-use development at Balgaddy is the first application of the traditional neighbourhood development (TND) principles to a suburban Dublin community by ARA.

The site owned by Stewarts Hospital lies within recently developed suburban growth area and is surround predominantly by housing developments, schools and shopping centres. Located approximately 10 kilometres west of Dublin City in the heart of what is known as suburban Dublin.

Balgaddy has been conceived as an authentic neighbourhood made up of distinct elements of the traditional urban neighbourhood found in Irish Cities and Towns.

The Masterplan for the neighbourhood site is on the 27 acre tract of land owned by Stewarts Hospital resulted on a brief given to ARA by Stewarts Hospital.

From this brief, the advice to the Stewarts Hospital Group was not to sell off their land to developers in the traditional manner of health institutions but rather to prepare a Masterplan which would incorporate their planned uses for the coming decade integrated with private housing development.

The development consists of a central relief frame surrounded by residential with retail at ground level. A number of the Stewarts Hospital specific projects, including residential units for the disabled distributed throughout the scheme.

In addition, private residential apartments and housing and school use are included within the development to encourage diversity in age and income level.

A range of housing types and size is planned, for example houses which may ultimately sell as retirement units will exist next to single family homes and town houses, and rental apartments will be located above shops.

Balgaddy includes a variety of civic amenities and public open spaces with potential for links to adjoining residential developments.

A Special Needs School and a health club are located in the development, providing additional recreational areas. These are linked to the adjoining secondary primary school and to the communal sports facilities serving the adjoining school.

A summary of Infrastructure to be
provided at Balgaddy is listed below:

Residential Specialist Unit for Elderly:
50 persons at 45 square metres
2250 square metres

Residential Unit for people with Multiple Disability:
50 persons at 45 square metres
2250 square metres

Day Service Unit for people with Multiple Disability:
35 persons at 15 square metres
525 square metres

Day Care Facility for Elderly:
50 persons at 15 square metres
750 square metres

Pre-school (integrated):
30 places at 52.5 square metres
1575 square metres

Primary Schools Junior School:
126 students
6615 square metres

South Western Area Health Board:
Primary Care Unit
1300 square metres

Provision to replace existing
Training Facility within Site.