DUBLIN City Council has given the final green light approval to the €50 million redevelopment plans of the Anglesea Stand at the RDS.

Final planning approval was granted on August 4th 2023 for the exciting plans which will see the construction of a new three-level grandstand with a capacity for nearly 7,000 people, a two-level hospitality and services building, a club shop and substation.

Figures from a recent Indecon International Economic Consultants cost benefit analysis projected that the RDS redevelopment will deliver an estimated additional €254 million in tourism revenues over a 25-year period. A key ongoing economic benefit from the new stand would be the enhanced tourism revenues for Ireland with a projected additional 66,000 tourists visiting Ireland per annum.

The Indecon analysis estimates that overall the socio-economic cost benefit analysis indicates the development will deliver a net benefit in net present value of €68.1m.

A design statement lodged with the planning application stated that the two core drivers of the new Anglesea Stand are increased capacity and user experience.

The report states that the new Anglesea Stand “will replace the outdated and visually unsightly structure of the current stand and replace it with a modern high quality design”.

It states that the new facilities “will secure the future of the venue for the benefit of sporting communities in Dublin, Leinster as well as Ireland”.

The design statement states that “the impact on the surrounding neighbourhood is reduced due to the massing and height focused more centrally onto the rugby pitch dimensions and away from the boundaries”.

Project details

According to the planning permission grant on the Dublin City Council website, viewed yesterday (Friday) by The Irish Field, the proposal will comprise the following:

(A) Demolition of the existing Anglesea Stand and Anglesea Terrace structure (approx. 7,716 sq.m.), ‘lean-to’ open fronted shed bounding Simmonscourt Road (approx. 145 sq.m.) and removal of modern terrace (approx. 44 sq.m.) area surrounding the clock tower (a protected structure Ref. No. 5085);

(B) Provision of a new grandstand (7,599 sq.m.) over 3 levels, 21.3m [26.8m OD] in height (with associated floodlighting and acoustic public address within roof of new stand) with a connection (via a glazed bridge link at Level 01) to the new pocket building of (1,175 sq.m. GFA) comprising a 2 level (storey) 10.17m [16.41m OD] in height building including plant (89 sq.m.) at roof level (within a louvered cover) to the east. The roof to the new grandstand will include a zone to enable the installation of photovoltaic array. The new grandstand and pocket building will accommodate seating; security/control rooms; corridor/ circulation areas; bar/servery areas; WC facilities [including disabled and staff facilities]; stores/cold rooms; season ticket/VIP hospitality areas; and ancillary plant/electric areas. The internal arrangement of the enclosed Level 01 area of the new grandstand and new pocket building (and ancillary areas) will be flexible to accommodate rugby, horse show and other event requirements;

(C) A single storey substation (c. 50 sq.m.) 3.6m in height [9.92m OD] located to the east of existing South Stand; and a single storey double height club shop (C. 49 (sq.m.) 6.7m in height [12.2m OD] located adjacent to existing RDS office building;

(D) Terrace areas at Level 00 and Level 01 within the new pocket building on southern façade as well as views from all levels towards parade rings from the new grandstand and new pocket building;

(E) Provision of signage zones (overall 135.5 sq.m) to north (16 sq.m) and south (115 sq.m) elevations of the new grandstand and north (2 sq.m) and east (2.5 sq.m) elevations of proposed club shop;

(F) Revised landscaping to north of the new grandstand and external areas to include the removal of trees;

(G) Revisions to surface water, drainage, attenuation, storage, telecommunication, servicing arrangements and connections including all associated site development and landscaping works;

(H) Provision of additional bicycle parking; and;

(I) All existing access arrangements and parking provision will remain as per the established layout and operation of the RDS complex.