RedevelopmentLands: The Arnold Crampton Group has been chosen as the preferred partner for the first phase of an overall redevelopment of Our Lady's Grove, a religious and school campus in Goatstown, Dublin 14. The group is to build a range of facilities in part payment for being allowed to develop apartments on the site.

Initially, 2.9 acres of the 14 acres in the grounds are to be redeveloped as a community building for 24 religious sisters, the existing provincialate is to be retained, 100 apartments are to be built in three blocks and improved access and car-parking is to be provided for the two schools on the campus.

The financial outcome of the arrangement between the Arnold Crampton Group and the Religious of Jesus and Mary will depend on the success of a planning application currently being prepared. However, it is understood that the price is likely to equate to €8 million per acre.

The choice of the Arnold Crampton Group from a list of 22 tenders follows the creation of a master plan for the 14-acre campus. This provides for the construction of a new 16-classroom primary school, an extension to the existing secondary school, new recreation facilities, as well as a new community residence and an apartment scheme. A separate planning application for the new primary school is due to be lodged shortly.

Bill Nowlan of WK Nowlan & Associates, who advised the religious order, said the development had been approached in a very sensitive fashion, taking into account the interests and comments of parents, local residents and the religious community. The master plan provided eight acres of land to ensure that the long term educational needs of the local community were met into the future.

The tender process was managed by Mark Smyth of Ganly Walters.