CONSULTANTS have been chosen to prepare a blueprint for the development of the Dublin docklands area.

The winners, the Riverrun Consortium, will devise a plan to develop the area which runs from Ringsend and Irishtown on the south side of the city, to the East Wall and Pearse Street.

The group will be led by architect Mr Sean O'Laoire of Murray O'Laoire Associates. Chartered town planners Fergal McCabe and Associates and economic consultants BDO Simpson Xavier will also be involved along with Ove Arup & Partners. Other advisers come from environmental and building firms as well as academia.

The group has been charged with forming a 15-year plan which is designed to "breathe new life" into the local communities which have suffered from the decline of the Dublin port area.

It will also support "bottom up" local development proposals. The area includes extensive waterways which can be used for tourism and leisure activities as well as the potential for industrial and office uses.