Dun Laoghaire Baths development will set a precedent for future Dublin Bay building projects

Dun Laoghaire Green Party Councillor Kealin Ireland stated that whatever plan is eventually agreed for the Baths’ site will have a knock-on effect for the coast from Booterstown to Bray. She gave examples of Blackrock Baths and BullochHarbour, both of which are waiting for the outcome of the Baths’ debate.

“In April of this year, Council planners put forward a proposal for Dun Laoghaire Baths which comprised an eight to ten storey private, residential development. The proposal broke every sustainable development rule and blithely ignored the existing natural and built environment. Since then, the plan has been the subject of such controversy and public outcry that the Council has been forced to go back to the drawing board and come up with no fewer than eight proposals for the site.”

While Green Party Councillor Ireland has welcomed the fact that planners have put forward alternatives, nonetheless she expresses concern that none of the proposals, in their current state, would be entirely suitable for the site.

“We look forward to discussing and debating the Council’s proposals,” said Councillor Ireland. “There is potential in a number of them and there is no doubt that some represent a dramatic improvement on the ‘take it or leave it’ plans proposed last April. However, the Green Party will vote in favour only of a development which has full public access, which is in keeping with its surroundings and which does not negatively impact on the environment - particularly ScotsmansBay.”

Green Party TD for Dun Laoghaire Ciarán Cuffe, stated: “There is a huge amount at stake here. We must consider all the implications, including the precedent set by any development on the site. I want to see the Baths developed - I have been campaigning on the issue for years - but it can’t be at any price.

“My preference would be for the development of a heated 25 metre pool on the site, together with a children’s paddling pool and a café with views across Dublin Bay. I’d also like to see a small gym in the development. This might cost around 15 million Euro. That would be around the same price as the Monkstown ringroad proposals that were published by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council last week. Why not drop the road and spend the money on the Baths instead?

“I don’t want to see a high rise proposal on the site, and I don’t want to see infill of ScotsmansBay.”