€300m scheme for Greystones gets approval

An Bord Pleanála has approved a €300 million marina, residential and commercial redevelopment scheme for Greystones harbour in Co Wicklow.

Work on replacing the crumbling Victorian harbour is expected to get under way later this year, with public facilities costing €50 million to be provided in the first phase of the development.

An Bord Pleanála has also approved compulsory purchase orders for some 70 acres of foreshore and beachside property on which 341 new homes and about 5,500 square metres of commercial units are to be provided.

The scheme is being developed jointly by Wicklow County Council and its private sector partners Park Developments and John Sisk, collectively known as the Sispar consortium.

Approving the scheme, An Bord Pleanála imposed 13 conditions, none of which are expected to be too onerous on the developers. An Bord Pleanála overturned just one recommendation of the inquiry inspector, that an old local authority dump on site be dug up and disposed of elsewhere. An Bord Pleanála said the former dump could be best contained on site. Giving its decision, the board said it had regard to the provisions of the county and local area development plans, the central location of the site, the character of neighbouring developments and the nearby Dart line.

Wicklow County Manager Eddie Sheehy warmly welcomed the approval for "a world-class harbour facility for Greystones.

"This €300 million project, which includes public facilities to a value of over €50 million, will mean that the existing derelict harbour will be rejuvenated to become an integral part of the town.

"I am confident that this will be regarded as one of the most visionary and innovative public-private partnership projects ever undertaken in the State and I look forward to the start of works in the coming months," he said.

The council also confirmed yesterday that the redevelopment of the public harbour would be the first element of the scheme to be developed. "It has to be that way. We have to put the new piers in place so that we have an area in which we can work," said spokesman Seán Quirke.

A number of existing harbour users such as the local Ridge Angling Club and Greystones Sailing Club are to be accommodated in new premises in the redeveloped harbour. The entire scheme is expected to take five years. Managing director of John Sisk & Son Tom Costello said the construction of the new harbour, which will contain a 320-berth marina, represented "a unique construction challenge which we look forward to addressing".

Managing director of Park Developments Michael Cotter said, "in five years time Greystones harbour will be held up as one of the finest examples of how the public and private sectors can work together for the greater benefit of a vibrant local community".

Local area councillor and recent mayor of Greystones Derek Mitchell said yesterday he was "naturally delighted" and looked forward to Greystones developing "the best water sports facility in the country".

However, Greystones Protection and Development Association which claimed the scheme represented "over development" and campaigned against it for more than 11 years, said it was "extremely disappointed".

Spokesman Fiachra Etchingham said: "In particular we are disappointed that none of the concerns expressed by the community of Greystones regarding the size and appearance of the development and the disruption it will cause, were accepted by the board."