Sir, - I refer to Frank McDonald's article Urban renewal and Docklands master plan" in the Property supplement of March 20th. He mentions a proposal to build office, apartment and retail schemes with private car parking on the narrow campshires be tween the Liffey quay thoroughfares and the river downstream of Talbot Memorial Bridge. He worries about possible haphazard development.
The turnabout of official policy that the Duke of Ormonde persuaded Dublin Corporation and Humphrey Jervis, a major developer of the time, to adopt in the late 17th century, whereby the Liffey quays would in future have no buildings on their riverside, has been generally a cornerstone in the formation of the quays since then. Regrettable exceptions that crept in during the 19th century through the construction of warehouses and transit sheds, mainly along North Wall Quay, show in fact today just how regrettable they were.
A strongly held opinion is now offered, with diffidence, in this letter. The downstream campshires should not be built on as proposed, and in due course such sheds as do exist on them should be removed.
The residents of City Quay are to be commended for their stand. The downstream quays and the river between them offer the potential for a most gracious and generous civic development furnished with fine buildings. This, without any doubt, could become one of the true richnesses of 21st century Dublin. The Liffey is a civic river and deserves dignified civic treatment. - Yours, etc.,
Cullenswood Gardens,
Dublin 6.