Dun Laoghaire harbour company sets deadline for financing marina

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has set a deadline of September 8th to receive "expressions of interest" from private bodies wishing to develop a £12 million marina in the harbour.

Planning permission for a marina with 680 berths was granted to the State-owned harbour company earlier this year. The construction of two new breakwaters, marine service buildings, an amenity area, a boat hoist, car-parking and improvements to the public slipway are also planned. Preparatory work on the application was funded by a £300,000 grant from the Department of the Marine, while former minister, Mr Sean Barrett, allocated £3 million. The harbour company has decided not to finance the remaining cost, estimated at £10 million, out of public funds and is seeking an arrangement with private contractors.

There is, however, opposition to the plan. The Appellants to An Bord Pleanala include the Department of Defence, which operates a helipad and facilities for the FCA in the harbour.

While the board is considering whether to grant an oral hearing of the objections, a spokesman for the Department told The Irish Times yesterday that discussions were continuing with the harbour company.

Reservations have also been expressed by members of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the authority which granted the permission. Mr Donal Marren, the Fine Gael leader on the council, said that while he welcomed the development, the berths were likely to be expensive, given the large cost of the project.

Ms Betty Coffey, the Fianna Fail leader, said the questions of traffic management and public access to any development had still to be fully addressed.