Imagine Dundrum is a voluntary group of local residents from across the Dundrum area, formed in response to the imminent redevelopment of Dundrum Village, and the County Council’s proposed Local Area Plan. The group is campaigning for a community-focused vision for the renewal of Dundrum’s core built environment, working with the County Council, public representatives, the new developers and all interested local organisations, businesses and individuals, to ensure that the future Dundrum retains its own unique character and heritage, and is a place where everyone feels happy to live, work and belong.
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Imagine Dundrum held its first Open Meeting in June 2017, and has now published a full report of the proceedings. This meeting had two main aims: to introduce the group and its thinking to a wider audience, and to gather the views and ideas of as many local residents as possible. Participants took part in a lively and wide-ranging ‘community conversation’ on three key topics: ​
‘Why is Dundrum important to you?’; ‘Dundrum now: issues and things that need to change’; and ‘Dundrum in future: what would make it a great place to live?’.
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The meeting began with two guest speakers: Des Keogh, well-known actor and broadcaster and local resident, and Professor Mary P. Corcoran of Maynooth, known for her studies of Irish suburban life. Members of the Imagine Dundrum group presented: their work to date; an illustrated history of Dundrum Village; Imagine Dundrum’s fundamental design principles for the new Dundrum; and illustrative drawings showing how the new development could incorporate these principles. The Chair of the meeting highlighted the fact that Dundrum is no greenfield site – the new development will be so much more than buildings; it will shape a community and its life for generations to come.
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Attendance at the meeting exceeded expectations, with around 160 participants contributing a rich range of ideas and views, and expressing their concerns for Dundrum. The results of these conversations show the strength of local feeling for the future of our home place, and the commitment of so many people to working for the best possible outcome, one which will enhance Dundrum itself while retaining its special character, and will also strengthen our community.
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The conversations showed that the participants in the meeting fully endorsed Imagine Dundrum’s proposals and principles. They welcomed the possibilities offered by redevelopment while agreeing on the need for a proper balance between residential, commercial and civic elements. They agreed that the newly-built Dundrum must reflect the heritage of the historic Village area, and support a thriving range of small independent businesses. They want a fully ‘connected’ physical environment which prioritises pedestrians and cyclists and links easily to public transport. And a focus for strengthening community life should be provided by an innovative civic and community centre in the heart of Dundrum Village. The meeting also agreed that the new Dundrum must be ‘future-proofed’ by ensuring best practice in environmentally sustainable development.
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Finally, the meeting called on the developer, Hammerson, and on Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to engage actively with the local community, to ensure that plans for future development in Dundrum will reflect community needs and wishes and so can aspire to local community support.

December 2017

Members of Imagine Dundrum attended the exhibition mounted by Masters students in UCD’s School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy on housing ideas for Dundrum. In October, at the start of the project, Imagine Dundrum had met with the lecturer in charge of this project, Stephen Mulhall (who grew up in Wyckham Park), and briefed him about Imagine Dundrum’s work. Our website was on the official project reading list, and the students had studied the outcomes of our Open Meeting to discover what local residents were thinking. They had also studied the County Development Plan, and they had sub-titled their exhibition, ‘An Alternative Local Area Plan’.

There were many varied and fascinating ideas for Dundrum, illustrated by models and drawings, including several imaginative housing schemes (most but not all low-rise, high density) for the old Shopping Centre site. The need for genuinely public space in Dundrum was discussed, and ways of designing housing for older people in particular, to maximise social interaction with other local people. The centrepiece was a model of the whole of Dundrum from the ‘Town Centre’ shopping centre to the Luas Bridge, on which the different schemes and possibilities could be positioned.

September 2017

Imagine Dundrum has worked closely with the 7 County Councillors for the Dundrum Ward, and in late September two motions referring to Dundrum’s redevelopment were tabled at a meeting of the Dundrum Area Committee. It is very positive to have these issues placed on the Council’s agenda.

August 2017

Over the summer period, Imagine Dundrum made two submissions to the County Council, covering three of our key campaign aims: one seeking a Master Plan for Dundrum to guide planning proposals; one advocating a civic/community/ cultural centre in the heart of the new development; and one proposing the designation of Dundrum Main Street and crossroads area as an Architectural Conservation Area.

July 2017

Members of Imagine Dundrum, accompanied by our local TD Josepha Madigan and her Constituency Officer, Stephen O’Shea, had a very positive half-hour meeting with MInister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy TD, in Dáil Eireann on Wednesday July 5th. The Minister’s PA, Jack O’Sullivan, was also present. The challenges facing Dundrum and the work so far were discussed, with the Minister providing useful help for work going forward.

June 2017

Huge crowds at the Imagine Dundrum Open Meeting
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Over 160 people, including residents’ groups, community groups, public representatives, local business owners and managers, and church representatives from all across Dundrum, Ballinteer, Windy Arbour, Goatstown, Taney/ Kilmacud, and Churchtown came together on Thursday evening to make very clear not only their strong attachment to Dundrum, but also their wishes and expectations for the future of Dundrum Village, in the light of its imminent large scale redevelopment.
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Organised by the Imagine Dundrum community group, the meeting heard a range of presentations about Dundrum, its past, present and hoped-for future. The Imagine Dundrum group outlined its hopes and expectations for the new development, arguing that what is at stake is the fate and future of a historic village which is both a local community hub and heartland for people over a much broader area.
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According to an Imagine Dundrum spokesperson, ‘the developers in Dundrum are not just involved in a residential building development or a greenfield site. They are building in the heart of a village and a community. We want Dundrum **to be a thriving place where people will live, work, and grow up in a vibrant community. We want Dundrum and its Main Street to retain its unique character, and become a truly attractive and welcoming place, where small and medium sized independent businesses are supported, and where intergenerational living is encouraged. We want to see substantial public space in the new development, and a new civic building that will be at the heart of community life.
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The large gathering of local people gave strong support to these proposals. There was universal agreement that there must be balance between residential, commercial and civic elements in the new development, and that it must be a ‘connected’ environment, friendly to pedestrians and cyclists and with smooth links to public transport links.
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They also agreed strongly that that Dundrum must provide for a vibrant, inclusive community, and that the new Dundrum should respect and reflect the heritage of the historic Village as well as showcasing the very best new models of environmentally-sustainable development.
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The gathering called on the developer, Hammerson, and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to engage actively with the local community to ensure that plans for future development in Dundrum can aspire to having local community support.

Anyone who missed the meeting can still send their view about the future of Dundrum to [email protected]
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Coverage in The Independent: http://www.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/dundrum-locals-proactive-on-shopping-centre-future-35971126.html May 2017
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Members of Imagine Dundrum attended TD Catherine Martin’s public meeting on ‘FutureProofing Dundrum’ which highlighted energy efficieny at community level. The seven Dundrum Ward Councillors were invited to a second meeting, to update them on progress and discuss ways in which they can support at promote Imagine Dundrum’s work at Council level, and help secure the best possible future for our area.
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Planning is taking place for an open/ public meeting in mid-June

March 2017

Members of Imagine Dundrum attended Hammerson’s Irish launch of its sustainability strategy, Becoming Net Positive: A Hammerson Positive Places Objective (copies of strategy booklet available from Imagine Dundrum on request).
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Imgine Dundrum held a well-attended information meeting for local business owners and other stakeholders including churches, Airfield Estate and An Taisce. Strong support was expressed for our principles and plans.
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Reviewed the Local Area Plan with view to possible actions.
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Held a meeting on developing strategy for the coming months.
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February 2017

Met with Hammerson’s Development Manager for Dundrum.
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Continued to invite feedback on our ideas and plans from local residents

January 2017

Successful in application for start-up grant from County Council’s Community Fund.