Plans unveiled for new berth facility

MEMBERS of the public and harbour stakeholders have been urged to have their say on plans for the development of a new berth facility for large cruise ships in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group has encouraged interested parties to submit their views during the two week public consultation process that was opened on Monday (March 30).

The consultation process was launched ahead of an expected planning application to An Board Pleanala for the project.

The planning application will be made by Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company on behalf of the Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group.

In a statement, the group outlined the importance of what is a growing sector of the tourism market.

“Cruise ships are getting bigger in size, offering more facilities to passengers, but requiring deeper water and longer berths of accommodate them,

? the statement reads.

“Over 50 per cent of new ships currently on order are over 300m in length.

Under the Planning and Development Acts, the cruise berth facility is regarded as strategic infrastructure and the planning application must therefore be made to An Bord Pleanala.

It is expected that a finalised planning application and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will go to An Bord Pleanala the end of April or early May.

Responses from the public and stakeholders during the consultation process will be taken into account when finalising the application to An Bord Pleanala. When the final application goes to the board, observations and submissions may be made by members of the public and certain statutory bodies.

Speaking in relation to the launch of the consultation process, Gerry Dunne, CEO of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company said:

“The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Masterplan, published in 2011, identified the need to develop strategies to ensure the long term future of the harbour, in view of the declining importance of ferry traffic.

He added:

“This is a hugely exciting project for Dun Laoghaire and the members of the Cruise Stakeholder Group are anxious to hear the views of the public finalising our application to An Bord Pleanala.

Full details will be available on the Dun Laoghaire Harbour website at www.dlharbour.ie

Observations or comments can be submitted by email to [email protected] or by post to Jean Finnegan, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Harbour Lodge, Crofton Rd, Dun Laoghaire, anytime up to 5pm on Monday, April 13.