Communications Office
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday 21st February 2008

Councillors examine feasibility study for world class East Pier to Sandycove Coastal Amenity Project

At a special briefing meeting held earlier today for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Councillors, Consultants Royal Haskoning and Murray & Associates made a presentation of the main findings and recommendations in their feasibility study on the East Pier to Sandycove Coastal Amenity Project. Two different concept schemes were presented to Councillors for the purpose of discussion and debate, with agreement reached that both concepts would be presented for non-statutory public consultation in the near future.

The Council briefed the consultants in April 07 to examine the feasibility of a major world-class environmental/amenity improvement scheme at this location, which includes the Dun Laoghaire Baths site. They were required to make provision for the proposed Sutton to Sandycove (S2S) project.  The brief also required that consideration be given to creating additional space for cultural, recreational and amenity purposes (with appropriate associated commercial development) along the sea front.

The consultants were asked to comply with the design guidelines set out in the Report of the Council’s Baths Sub-Committee.  This Committee is made up of the six elected representatives from the Dún Laoghaire Electoral Area and was formed in October 2005. A key recommendation made by the Committee is that the project should not have any high-rise or residential element, but should complement the coastline and offer a modern local tourist attraction.

Included in the consultant’s brief was the requirement that any proposed scheme must provide adequate sea defences to mitigate the effects of coastal erosion on the site in order to protect any proposed development.

The 2 concepts recommended by the consultants and examined by the Councillors are detailed below:

 

Concept A:           Dún Laoghaire Lagoon

1. A lagoon beach constructed adjacent to the East Pier with a linking pedestrian over bridge.
2. An aquatic play area on the old baths site with a civic space and a building with a restaurant, providing for alternative therapies etc.
3. An underground car park with up to 500 spaces
4. New upper and lower walkways along entire sea frontage with plaza and viewing areas.
5. Accommodation of the S2S project along the entire route.
6. Limited land reclamation along Newtownsmith to facilitate civic amenities including the ‘Festival of World Cultures’.
7. A newly landscaped Sandycove Park with water sports buildings.
8. Improved facilities for Sandycove Harbour.

Concept B:          Newtownsmith Beach

1. New promenade and sandy beach over the East Pier to Newtownsmith Section.
2. Construction of offshore and shore-connected breakwaters approximately 250m off shore.
3. An upper and lower walkway, which will provide walks along the frontage and access to the beachfront.
4. Accommodation of the S2S project along the entire route.
5. An increase in surface car parking at Newtownsmith
6. Limited land reclamation along Newtownsmith to facilitate civic amenities including the ‘Festival of World Cultures’.
7. Newly landscaped Sandycove Park with water sports buildings.
8. Improved facilities for Sandycove Harbour

Following an examination of the feasibility study the Council have agreed that the next step will be to present the two concepts to the public through a process of non-statutory public consultation, the details of which will be advertised within the next week. The public will be invited to make submissions based on their consideration of the proposed concepts, after which a full report will be presented to Council. It should be pointed out that the implementation of any improvement works in the area is dependent on identifying and accessing the necessary funding.

Further information:
Communications Office
Tel: 01 2047056
Email: commsoffice@dlrcoco.ie