Final plans introduced for Dún Laoghaire harbour amid concerns of privatisation
A final plan for the development of Dún Laoghaire harbour has been introduced – which will see major infrastructure changes that are planned to connect the town centre with the waterfront.
When the new plans for “a living harbour” was introduced at a Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR) meeting this week – councillors were divided – with some calling it a “futuristic plan”, while some were concerned that it would privatise the harbour.
The harbour masterplan will see 32 big and small developments including a National Watersports Campus and the Metal Green – an accessible green space along the harbour.
The draft master plan, released last year, received more than 600 submissions from the public – the final document has been in the works for a year and a half since.
"The masterplan represents a bold and forward-thinking vision for one of Ireland’s most iconic coastal destinations,” said Frank Curran, Chief Executive for DLR.
“It is the result of extensive collaboration and consultation, ensuring that the voices of our community are at the heart of this transformation.”
The plan will see an urban quarter built into St Michael’s pier including a new pavilion gardens and more public spaces. It also plans to use the ferry terminal on the pier for hospitality and retail.
“The privatisation of St Michael’s pier is a disgrace – we are looking at putting a hotel, conference and spa centre here – we know what that looks like, they are private,” said People Before Profit councillor Melisa Halpin.
“If you are going to tell me this is a public hotel run by the council, I don’t believe that. I do believe that this is an opportunity to privatise the waterfront – people did not ask for St Micheal’s pier to be privatised.”
Other councillors welcomed the plan and called for it to be added to the county’s development plan.
“This will put Dún Laoghaire on the map – it’s a futuristic, wonderful plan – we need to make sure we implement it and add it to the appendix of our county development plan,” said Fine Gael councillor JP Durkan.
"I look forward to seeing the developments of the harbour over the next 50 years," added Green Party councillor Tom Kivlehan.
“I hope in 25 to 30 years’ time, we can still walk down the harbour and say we set this in process – it’s a very high level plan, it will be hard to find the funding for it but at least it’s given us a vision.”