Pier's development must have a bias towards amenity use

Any commercial redevelopment of Carlisle Pier in Dun Laoghaire will have to have a "bias" towards leisure and amenity use, according to a member of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company.

Carlisle Pier has lain vacant since Stena moved to St Michael's Wharf, where a £15 million ferry terminal has been constructed.

The pier is considered to be potentially one of Dun Laoghaire's principal commercial/recreational sites and walkways. Plans for a 680-berth, international-standard marina, if approved by An Bord Pleanala, would enhance the value of any commercial enterprise to be developed there.

Confirming his company's interest in a redevelopment project yesterday, Mr Phil Monahan of Monarch Properties said that while no meetings had yet been held with the harbour company, "we are interested and, coincidentally, were talking only today about our plans".

Mr Monahan said it had been suggested by "several people" that his company should put forward a plan which would allow the recreational and commercial potential of the pier to be realised.

It is understood that the deal being proposed for the pier is similar to that worked out between the former Monarch Properties director Mr Ed Sweeney and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown-County Council for the redevelopment of the Pavilion cinema site at Marine Road. Under this arrangement the local authority ceded the site and planning permission to Mr Sweeney, who is currently building apartments there. Part of the profit from this scheme will be used to finance the construction of a theatre and other public amenities on the site, which will be handed over to the authority when the project is completed.

Mr Michael Hanahoe, chief executive of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, was not available for comment yesterday. However, Mrs Betty Coffey, a board member and Fianna Fail councillor, ail leader on the planning authority, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, confirmed that "the Carlisle Pier will be re-developed".

Insisting insisted that any such development would have to ensure a bias in favour of public-access amenity.

"We have discussed entering into some form of agreement with the private sector to develop the pier but I am adamant that whatever is done the emphasis is on leisure and recreation, with some necessary commercial element - not the other way around."

At present Carlisle Pier is zoned "H" in the development plan, allowing harbour-related activity, amenity, recreational, light industrial and commercial uses.