Life’s a Beach at Dun Laoghaire?
AN BORD PLEANALA GIVES GO-HEAD FOR URBAN BEACH PROJECT IN DUN LAOGHAIRE
An Bord Pleanála has granted Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) permission to proceed with its plans for a floating swimming pool and urban beach at the historic East Pier of the Harbour.
Permission was granted in late-2014 by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, but had been appealed.
The project has been inspired by the popular Badeschiff facility in Berlin, a floating swimming pool on the River Spree. The plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour includes a floating swimming pool containing heated and treated seawater, utilising a converted river barge which will be located within the Harbour. The facility will include an Urban Beach alongside the floating structure, on Berth 1 adjacent to the East Pier. Changing and toilet facilities, a café, an administration area, and security features are also planned.
The Harbour Company estimates that urban beach has the potential to attract 100,000 visitors per year and to generate over €1 million per annum for the local economy.
Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company hopes to be in a position to open the facility for the summer season in 2016.
According to Tim Ryan, Operation Manager, of DLHC: “Today’s go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála is very welcome, and marks a vital step in realising the full potential of the Harbour as a marine, leisure and tourist destination of international calibre.”
“The urban beach will be a hugely exciting project for Dun Laoghaire as a while. It is very much in keeping with the Government’s National Ports Policy which designated Dún Laoghaire as a harbour focusing on marine leisure, marine tourism, and urban development. Today’s decision allows us to follow through on our mandate.
Over the coming months, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company Harbour is set to welcome a record 100,000 cruise passengers and crew. “Combined with the news of the urban beach, the future for Dun Laoghaire Harbour is really shaping up, as set out in the Company’s Masterplan of 2011,” added Tim.
