RTÉ HAS announced long-term plans for the redevelopment of its Donnybrook site in Dublin, although it concedes that no construction will start before 2012 "given the planning process and the current prevailing economic conditions".
The national broadcaster's "2025 Project" envisages the gradual replacement over a 10-15- year period of most of the current 1960s and 1970s buildings with a "purpose-built modern building complex designed for the digital and high-definition age".
An application for full planning permission with a 10-year lifespan is to be lodged on October 9th, a spokesman for RTÉ confirmed yesterday. The new buildings have all been designed by Scott Tallon Walker, who were the architects of the original complex.
The existing television centre, the oldest building on the Montrose site, would be demolished as well as the Radio Centre, the sports club, library and multi-storey car park.
The more recent Stage 7 production facility inside the main gate would be retained.
The RTÉ spokesman said listed buildings on the site, such as Montrose House, would be retained. He also denied earlier reports that parts of the site were to be sold off for commercial or residential development to fund its investment programme.
"The existing buildings are significantly fatigued by wear and tear over the past several decades and need to be replaced," the spokesman said, adding that detailed analysis of all the options had shown that all facilities should be incorporated into a single new building.
RTÉ is also seeking a revised "Z10" zoning for the 32-acre site, to allow for mixed uses. Given that the new facilities being planned would occupy "a little less than half" of the site, there would obviously be scope for further development. Kevin Dawson, RTÉ's new head of communications, said this would enhance the value of the site as collateral to raise money for the development programme - something that would be vital, given this year's "revenue shortfall" of €65 million.
Over the next 10 to 20 years, he said space would become available on the site which had "the potential to be developed with multiple partners for a variety of purposes" - such as a cluster of broadcasting and production-related companies.
The timing of the announcement has been determined by Dublin City Council's planned preparation of a new city development plan.
"This requires that RTÉ, in common with other major landowners in the city, present its long-term observations at this time," it said.
Subject to planning approval, the phased development of the Montrose site would begin with the construction of new television and radio studios, followed by further production areas, rehearsal and performance spaces and staff offices.
The RTÉ statement said that Project 2025 was the result of detailed analysis and planning carried out since 2002 and had been discussed with local members of the city council in advance of the review of all land zonings in the city, beginning next month.
"Clearly, this is not an ideal time to be announcing a large proposed construction project," RTÉ's director general Cathal Goan said. However rapid change in production and broadcast technology "obliges us to plan and provide for the future . . . to remain competitive.
"RTÉ has considered carefully the best way to upgrade and develop our broadcast production and transmission facilities while continuing to stay on air . . . the most cost-effective, sustainable and technically robust option available is to reconfigure our existing site."
Project 2025 has been planned in five distinct phases, with the commencement of each phase "determined by availability of funding and business requirements". Discussions with local residents' groups "will also take place as an integral part of the planning process".