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The Green Party’s
call for a modest redevelopment of the Baths site on Dún Laoghaire’s
coastline was overwhelming endorsed at a public meeting in the
Kingston Hotel in Dún Laoghaire last night (30th April 2008). Over
one hundred people turned up at a meeting held by the Green Party to
discuss a Consultant’s report for the redevelopment of the Coastline
from the East Pier to Sandycove and their vision for the Baths
Coastline.
The meeting approved a motion* put forward by the Green Party
calling on the Council to re-examine the scale of the development
for the Baths site.
Local Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe said: “I have been calling
for a modest, sustainable redevelopment on this baths site for the
past eight years. The residents of Dún Laoghaire at the meeting last
night sent a clear message to the Council that what they want is a
simple, small development not a over ambitious reshaping of their
coastline. Something like a heated swimming pool, a toddlers’ pool
and a café would fit that bill. Such a proposal need not be more
than two or three storeys high and would be a fantastic amenity for
the people of Dún Laoghaire and beyond. The Consultants and the
Council need to be reminded that Sandycove is not Barcelona, and
that modest development is more appropriate on this crucial site"
Local Green Party Councillor Gene Feighery stated:
“I’m delighted with the outcome of the meeting. Once people were
presented with the facts; they expressed deep concern about the
Consultants’ proposal. Everyone at the meeting wants to see a baths
on the site, but the Consultants plans were over-scaled and
inappropriate for the site.”
Coastwatch Ireland was represented by Linda O’Dwyer who
stated:
“Scotsman’s Bay in Dún Laoghaire provides a rich diversity of marine
life including kelp beds, lobster and crab nursery grounds, and
should be designated as a Marine Protected Area. The present
proposal is incompatible with this."
An exhibition of the proposals may be viewed at the County Hall on
the marine Road in Dún Laoghaire. Members of the Public may make
their views know to the Council by Friday 16th May 2008. Submissions
and Observations on proposals can be made via:
1.Comment sheets: available adjacent to exhibition
2.Email: eastpier2sandycove@dlrcoco.ie
3.Phone: Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on 01 2054748
4.Post: East Pier to Sandycove Enhancement Scheme, C.C.D.A.
Department, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, County Hall,
Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
Note
The studies was submitted by Consultants Royal Haskoning and Murray
& Associates and proposes two alternative designs for the
redevelopment of the coastline between the East Pier of Dún
Laoghaire and Sandycove.
The “Dún Laoghaire Lagoon” concept proposes: constructing a lagoon
beach adjacent to the East Pier with a linking pedestrian over
bridge; An underground car park with up to 500 spaces; an aquatic
play area on the old baths site with a civic space and a building
with a restaurant; New upper and lower walkways along entire sea
frontage with plaza and viewing areas; A newly landscaped Sandycove
Park with water sports buildings;
The “Newtownsmith Beach” concept proposes a new promenade and sandy
beach over the East Pier to Newtownsmith Section; Construction of
offshore and shore-connected breakwaters approximately 250m off
shore ; an upper and lower walkway, which will provide walks along
the frontage and access to the beachfront; an increase in surface
car parking at Newtownsmith.
Details of the proposals are available on www.DlRCoCo.ie under
Public Exhibition - East Pier to Sandycove Enhancement Scheme
* Motion Approved at Public Meeting:
“That development proposals are prepared for the Dun Laoghaire Baths
site along the following lines:
· Provide a publicly owned swimming amenity fully accessible to the
general public,
· Provide a new building of no more than 2/3 storeys, in total,
containing an indoor heated 25m pool, retaining all or part of the
existing building
· Provide a small number of related amenity elements including, for
example, a toddlers’ pool, sea-weed baths, gym and modest
café/restaurant with viewing area,
· Provide other appropriate cultural facilities in keeping with
character of the town of Dun Laoghaire,
· Renovate and re-landscape the existing walk-ways and maritime
gardens between the Baths and East Pier in an environmentally
sustainable manner and without any interference with the existing
coastline beyond that absolutely necessary for the protection of the
leisure amenity,
· That Scotsman’s Bay be declared a Marine Protected Area
· That there is no infill on as part of any proposal
and that the County Manager prepare funding options for the
proposal, and provide bimonthly updates to the Council on the
issue.” |
CiaranCuffe.com