AN Bord Pleanála has given the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) the green light to proceed with its plans for a floating swimming pool and urban beach at the historic East Pier.
Permission was granted in late 2014 by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, but it had been appealed.
The project has been inspired by the popular Badeschiff facility in Berlin.
This is a floating swimming pool on the River Spree that is hugely popular with locals.
The plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour includes a floating swimming pool containing heated and treated seawater, utilising a converted river barge which will be located within the harbour.
The facility will include an
‘Urban Beach’ alongside the floating structure on Berth 1 adjacent to the East Pier. Changing and toilet facilities, a café, an administration area, and security features are also planned.
The harbour company estimates that the urban beach has the potential to attract 100,000 visitors per year and to generate over
?¬1 million per annum for the local economy.
Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company said it hopes to open the facility for the summer season in 2016.
Tim Ryan, Operation Manager of DLHC said:
“Today’s go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála is very welcome.
“It marks a vital step in realising the full potential of the harbour as a marine, leisure and tourist destination of international calibre.
“The urban beach will be a hugely exciting project for Dun Laoghaire as a whole.
“It is very much in keeping with the Government’s National Ports Policy which has designated Dún Laoghaire as a harbour focusing on marine leisure, marine tourism, and urban development.
“Today’s decision allows us to follow through on our mandate.
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Mr Ryan added:
“Over the coming months, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company Harbour is set to welcome a record 100,000 cruise passengers and crew.
“Combined with the news of the urban beach, the future for Dun Laoghaire Harbour is really shaping up, as set out in the Company’s Masterplan of 2011.
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