A "masterplan concept for a world-class sustainable community in Greystones", was presented to an invited audience in Co Wicklow last night.
Property developers Michael McNamara and Durkan Residential want the 150-acre Charlesland Golf Club and adjacent land for housing and town centre uses. Envisaged as part of the plan is the relocation of one mile of the Dublin to Wexford railway line and the creation of a new esplanade and, possibly, a harbour.
With an indicative residential element of 1,500 homes the housing element is four times the size of the controversial development mooted for the existing harbour on the town's north beach.
In recognition of the size and impact of the proposal on the town the developers have set their proposals in a "masterplan" for the development of the Greystones/Delgany area.
It envisages the extension of Greystones town centre southwards across Wicklow County Council land and into the site in a number of multi-storey buildings, fronted by the esplanade. No building is planned to take place on the existing beach. The residential element is mostly houses, laid out around the golf club lands.
Invitations for last night's launch of the masterplan were sent to all Wicklow council members; Greystones Town Council; the authorities' executives and planners; members of the local chamber of commerce; the Garda; school principals and other community leaders.
The meeting was described by a spokesman for the developers as "the start of public consultation". The media were not invited.
