Sir, - People are just becoming aware of the changes that are happening to the fabric of Dun Laoghaire. Victorian streetscapes are being eroded by developers eager to maximise their profits by demolishing perfectly sound buildings and cramming in apartments. This vandalism is even happening on a small scale with street furniture vanishing and cobbled paths being cemented over. Nothing seems to be safe.
Last year, the Cabmen's Shelter on Marine Road, a "B" listed building, was demolished as it was in the way of the new Pavilion development. And now three very fine houses on Upper George's Street have come onto the property market and we are told that, as they stand on a substantial site which includes their rear gardens, the new owners could embark on a major development subject to planning permission. These are also "B" listed buildings.
Peter Pearson's book Between the Mountains and the Sea, a stunning record of the architectural heritage of Dun Laoghaire, published at the end of 1998, sold 6,000 copies in a matter of weeks (quite unusual for this type of book). This shows people's awakening interest in their town. - Yours, etc., Colin Scudds, Honorary Secretary, Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society,
Northumberland Park, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.