A NEW discussion document on the future of Dún Laoghaire published recently by a local election candidate portrays an interesting picture of the seaside town.
Fianna Fáil candidate, James McCann, published the document entitled
‘Dún Laoghaire: What’s the Plan?’ that highlights various key concerns for the town including parking, retail, the seafront and future planned developments.
According to Mr McCann’s findings, there are currently 6,242 people on the Live Register in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area and 40 per cent of those live in the greater Dún Laoghaire area.
The East and West Pier attract over two million visitors a year although ferry passenger numbers have declined from 1.3m to 250,000 over the last 15 years.
The document also reveals that leisure activity is the key reason for visiting Dún Laogh-aire but only 10 per cent of all visitors to Dún Laoghaire do so to shop.
A total of 19 per cent of visitors identified parking as a lead reason for not visiting Dún Laoghaire.
However, 43 per cent view Dún Laoghaire as a family friendly destination.
Future planned developments are highlighted including the implementation of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company’s Masterplan and alterations to the People’s Park which are underway while plans for Dún Laoghaire Baths have been approved.
Launching the document Mr McCann said: “The future direction of Dún Laoghaire town needs to be discussed and put top of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s (DLRCC) agenda for the coming five years.
“Dún Laoghaire has the potential to become one of Ireland’s leading coastal destin- ations and that potential needs to be harnessed.
“There is enormous support for the town locally which is why I decided to produce this document in order to inform and encourage the discussion on how that can be achieved.”
Mr McCann found that Dún Laoghaire’s seafront is likely to become a leading tourist destination over the next five years with the growth in visits by cruise ships. The building of an Irish Diaspora Centre is expected to attract one million plus visitors annually if it goes ahead.
“Without a retail strategy for the town for the next five years the potential to benefit from tourism and wider custom will be lost along with the chance for businesses to thrive and the generation of local employment,
? he said.
“Parking is a significant issue that needs to be addressed,
? he added.
“There is no car park catering directly for the town and on-street parking is inadequate.
“This issue needs to be addressed so the reputational damage Dún Laoghaire has suffered in recent years can be reversed and be a inviting place to visit once more.”
Mr McCann stated that politicians are not experts in urban renewal.
“It is those who own businesses, who shop and are employed in the town that have the expertise in what improvements need to be made,
? he argued.
“I am asking for feedback, suggestions and ideas for the town based on the issues covered in the document.
“I intend to publish the suggestions in September to explore what suggestions can be implemented and common ground found amongst the various stakeholders in the town.”