HUNDREDS OF locals turned out in Dún Laoghaire at the weekend to view a €230 million master plan for the harbour.
The plan, being developed by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, includes a “diaspora museum” on the Carlisle Pier, retail and 300 apartments on St Michael’s Pier and a new marina and open-air swimming pool between the Carlisle Pier and the East Pier. The two piers will be joined with a breakwater to allow visitors to walk along the waterfront. And in the centre of the harbour, a new berthing facility will be developed to accommodate a cruise liner.
Yesterday, locals packed the display area in the ferry terminal building to view the master plan.
There was a welcome from most for some development of the area, but concerns were raised about the cruise liner berth, the additional moorings, building height and the breakwater.
Larry Power, from the National Yacht Club, which has its home between the East Pier and the Carlisle Pier, said they were concerned about the effect of the breakwater and additional marina spaces on their club.
“The proposed marina berth will take away from our area where we rent moorings,” he said. “And the breakwater will cause us access difficulties. It will restrict our junior sailing activities.”
He also said there was a possibility the museum might overshadow the club’s facilities.
Colm Murray, also from the club, said the idea of a museum on Carlisle Pier was excellent.
“I emigrated from there in my teens,” he said. He said there was “a lot of good” in the plan, but he was also worried about how the breakwater would affect use.
“How could you get 300 dinghies in and out of there,” he asked. He also questioned the value of an open-air swimming pool, given the local desire to have the Dún Laoghaire Baths refurbished.
Gerry Salmon, of MGM Boats, a private boat yard currently working in the harbour, said he was particularly pleased with the proposed increased access to the harbour.
“I think it is a good plan, with good vision; I just hope the money is there to implement it,” he said.
Conor Harrington, from Goatstown, said the plan was much more in keeping with what was appropriate compared with previous proposals. But he did have concerns about the residential element.
“It would be better if they could manage without it,” he said.
Local resident Triona McMorrow said she thought the size of the marina was disproportionate to the number of residents in the borough.
“We are not all boat owners,” she said. She described looking at the plan as “a heart-sinking experience” and said there had been so many developments proposed over the years, but there had been no results. It felt as though planners were “trying to wear people down”, she said.
Margaret Woods from Sandycove praised the consultation process being undertaken by the harbour company. She said she was happy with three out of four aspects of the proposals.
“The idea of a cruise terminal in the middle of what is a small, safe water sports-focused harbour is ludicrous,” she said.
She said she hoped they would find the money to carry out the rest of the work.
Another local raised concerns that occasional visits by cruise liners would result in facilities developed to cope with them, being vacant for the rest of the year.
“I’ve seen it elsewhere: the shops only open when the cruise liners come in, the rest of the time they are closed down,” he said.
The master plan will be on display again this week from Thursday to Sunday between noon and 6pm. It will also be available to view on the harbour company website (dlharbour.ie) and submissions on it will be accepted for the next four weeks.
