dún laoghaire harbour company

DÚN LAOGHAIRE HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

SPECIAL EDITION DÚN LAOGHAIRE HARBOUR BULLETIN - SPRING '92

High quality environment and balanced development

The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Development Plan adheres to the principle that the Harbour is, and must remain, a place which accommodates a wide variety of users.

Of the many responses from the public to its Draft Plan, the Board noted the strong and widespread support for this view of the Harbour as serving a multi-faceted function.

"Submissions were largely supportive of the basic strategy underlying our plans for the development of the Harbour. Where concerns were expressed they related primarily to specific details of the planned development rather than to the overall conception. Many of these details have been addressed in this Development Plan. The submissions will be of considerable help when it comes to detailed preparation of individual elements of the Plan," said Professor Dermot McAleese, Chairman of the Board.

"Important decisions relating to the development of the Harbour will have to be taken in the near future. Underlying this Development Plan is the conviction that Dún Laoghaire's potential as an international yachting centre and its maintenance as an important national amenity can be achieved in harmony with a successful ferry service" he said.

The Board is conscious of the divergent and often conflicting objectives of the Harbour's users. The broader objective of national economic development has also been taken into account and the need to minimise calls on a heavily-indebted Exchequer. "We have also been conscious of the serious structural, spatial, financial and aesthetic constraints on our room for manoeuvre," said Professor McAleese.

"Our strategy has been to make the most of what resources the Harbour has - for the benefit of Dún Laoghaire and the nation. The plan presents a strategy for the development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour into the next century promoting a vision of a high quality environment and of a balanced development of its commercial and public services, marine-related industrial activities, recreation and tourism potential".

"The Plan is, as a consequence, pragmatic rather than utopian. Its broad thrust, we believe, will result in an active, aesthetically-pleasing and commercially-viable Harbour," said the Chairman.

Contents of Bulletin

• Strategy for Development
• Ferry Terminal Development
• Recreational Development
• Public services
• Amenity Development
• Further Information

"Dún Laoghaire's potential as an international yachting centre and its maintenance as an important national amenity can be achieved in harmony with a successful ferry service".

STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT

Consultative process

The Board prepared a Draft Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour. A public display of the details of the draft plan was mounted which included a scale model of the Harbour. This display took place in April - June 1991 over a series of special public exhibitions in Dún Laoghaire. Almost 7,000 people visited the exhibition and 500 submissions were received in response to the draft plan.

Reaction to the Draft Plan

The submissions were largely supportive of the basic strategy of the plans for development.

Serious concern was expressed about some aspects of the plan: the West Bight marina, the scale of the ferry terminal and its implications for traffic, the environmental impact of the proposed changes. Other concerns related to specific details of the planned development rather than to the overall conception. Many of these details have been addressed in this final Plan.

In finalising the Plan, however, the Board was much encouraged by the considerable amount of public support for the broad thrust of the Draft Plan, the general outline of which has been left substantially unaltered.

"The Board was much encouraged by the considerable amount of public support for the broad thrust of the Draft Development Plan"

General approach

The Board has adhered closely to the principle that the Harbour is, and must remain, a place which accommodates a wide variety of users. Of the many responses from the public to its Draft Plan, the Board noted the strong and widespread support for this view of the Harbour as serving a multi-faceted function.

Four characteristics to be preserved

First, Dún Laoghaire as an attractive gateway for tourists and Irish residents. To remain attractive, the ferry operation must be provided with facilities consistent with the high standard on board ship and must be run on a commercial basis.

Second, Dún Laoghaire Harbour as a valuable and pleasant amenity for the sailing community and the many other users of the Harbour waters - with potential for a much expanded use given better utilisation of water space, the provision of marinas and more public slipways.

Third, the Harbour as an important amenity for the enjoyment of the citizens of Dublin who for generations have walked the piers and enjoyed the pleasant views within the Harbour and across Dublin Bay.

Finally, as an attractive recreation centre for visitors to Dún Laoghaire and an important facility for numerous miscellaneous users, including the public services, anglers, naturalists etc.

"the Harbour is, and must remain, a place which accommodates a wide variety of users"

Strategy

The Plan's objective is to make the most of the Harbour's resources and traditions -for the benefit of Dún Laoghaire and the nation.

The plan presents a strategy for the development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour into the next century promoting a vision of:

• high quality environment
• a balanced development of its commercial and public services, marine-related industrial activities, recreation and tourism potential.

The concept

Dún Laoghaire Harbour is a port of national significance. Its significance locally must also be stressed. The Borough would never have developed in the way it has if the Harbour had not been built.

The task of achieving economic revitalisation in Dún Laoghaire is both a challenge and an exciting opportunity. In that connection, the rich historical past, the picturesque natural heritage of a spectacular coastline, the unique built environment and in particular that wonder of 19th century civil engineering, Dún Laoghaire Harbour, together make an invaluable resource in a tourism and leisure development context. This holds the key to Dún Laoghaire's fortunes.

The Harbour Plan is restricted in scope to the Board's functional area. The Board's wish to ensure that maximum benefit is derived from the water areas for leisure purposes is constrained by the high cost of infrastructure provision and the absence of adequate shore based land provisions for backup facilities.

What is planned, therefore, is a co-ordinated strategy with Dún Laoghaire Corporation to achieve regeneration of the common waterfront zone and thereby economic growth.

Implementation

The Board recommends that work commence on the plan's implementation immediately:

• The development of the ferry terminal is a priority and work should begin without delay.
• Early installation of marina facilities can proceed in the Coal Harbour in tandem with development of the ferry terminal.
• The development of the Carlisle Pier is contingent on the transfer of the ferry operation to St Michael's Pier and work could commence as soon as this transfer has taken place.
• The Board takes the view that the West Bight marina development is
  (i) a long- term proposal, dependent on developments elsewhere In the Harbour, and
  (ii) requires much closer investigation of the amount and consequences of landfill and financial viability.

STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT (cont.)

Interim Dún Laoghaire Board

The Interim Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board was appointed in January 1990 under the chairmanship of Professor Dermot McAleese, Whately Professor of Political Economy, Trinity College, Dublin to assist the Minister in all aspects of Harbour management and development until such time as a Harbour Authority is established on a legislative basis.

The other members of the Board are:

• Betty Coffey, Councillor Dún Laoghaire Borough Corporation
• Aine Elliott, former Councillor Dún Laoghaire Borough Corporation
• Bill Harvey, former Councillor Dún Laoghaire Borough Corporation
• Derek Jago, Dublin County Architect
• Pat Keenan, General Manager, Cork Harbour Commissioners
• Ted Magee, Dún Laoghaire/ Rathdown Chamber of Commerce
• Tadhg O'Donoghue, Partner, Craig Gardner/ Price Waterhouse
• Seamus a Scollain, Yachtsman and Economist
• Patrick Shaffrey, Architect and Town Planner
• Tom Vaughan, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Manager and Engineer, Department of the Marine

Terms of reference

The Board's terms of reference require it to:

1. formulate overall medium and long term development plans for the Harbour;
2. advise on the best management policy for the Harbour in order to ensure the greatest benefit to harbour users;
3. seek proposals from private investors and others for developments in the Harbour area;
4. evaluate proposals for the establishment of marina facilities and other development proposals and, having placed them on public display and taken note of the views of harbour users and other interested parties, make recommendations to the Minister on the establishment of such facilities.

FERRY TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT

Strong Public Support For Retention Of Ferry Service

The Board is committed to the development of the ferry terminal at Dún Laoghaire. It sees the revenues from the ferry operation, over time, providing the essential financial underpinning of the Harbour Authority's activities.

Reaction to the Draft Development Plan suggests that there is strong public support for the retention of the ferry service at Dún Laoghaire.

The case for Dún Laoghaire

The case for development of the ferry terminal at Dún Laoghaire is based on:

• customer friendly environment
• short sailing time to Holyhead
• ease of access to the port
• ease of maintenance
• better traffic management
• customer and ferry operator preference
• strategic importance on the Central Corridor.
• un Laoghaire is a profitable port and earns £2.75m in revenues annually.

Borough needs ferry service

The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Development Plan outlines the need to redevelop the ferry terminal. The Board states that the growth in passenger and freight traffic forecasted over the next decade together with the needs and expectations of passengers determine that improved facilities are now essential.

The Board believes that while the ferry service to Dún Laoghaire is of national importance its significance to the Borough of Dún Laoghaire is critical.

A report by Deloitte and Touche which the Board publish with the Development Plan indicates that if tourism is included, the ferry service to the Harbour means in commercial terms a total of about 850 people are employed directly or indirectly, and generates, including wages, an annual turnover of about £14m.

Dublin Bay approach

The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board is emphasising its view that the development of facilities on the Central Corridor should, in the national interest, be based on a "Dublin Bay approach".

The "two bay ports" development should concentrate on the traffic for which each is best suited. This would lead to Dún Laoghaire specialising in passenger and high value express freight traffic while Dublin Port accommodates heavy commercial freight traffic to which its operation is most suited.

Dún Laoghaire Harbour is a specialist port in passenger handling while Dublin Port is a multi modal port in which passenger traffic is included alongside other dock land traffic. It is in the interest of national strategic planning to exploit the natural advantages of both ports.

It is desirable to maintain two ports in Dublin Bay which would, despite specialising in different types of traffic, provide a degree of healthy competition and also an alternative in the event of one being subject to closure.

Dublin Port's proposed solution is for a single unified terminal at the North Wall Extension at the East Link Bridge on the Liffey. Dún Laoghaire handled 57% more cars and buses in 1991 than Dublin Port (206, 178 compared with 130,985). It cannot make economic or business sense to close the larger more profitable operation in favour of the smaller facility.

The natural advantage conferred upon Dún Laoghaire Harbour by its location compared to Dublin Port allows Dún Laoghaire to meet ferry operators' requirements for more frequent sailing schedules and the achievement of three round trips per vessel per day. There are obvious economies which emanate from this.

Strong commercial support

Sealink Stena Line, the market leader on the central corridor, has expressed a strong wish to remain in Dún Laoghaire. The operator is opposed to being forced to divert its business to Dublin Port.

The company's recent investment in ship refurbishment and capacity, coupled with its proposed investment in Holyhead and its commitment to increasing off - season traffic would serve as an essential complement to development at Dún Laoghaire.

"By effective marketing of additional holidays outside the peak period and promoting the concept of leisure cruises, the uneven spread of passenger traffic can be tackled. This approach is very much in line with the Government's own tourism strategy of extending the season and thereby ensuring greater and more efficient use of the whole tourism infra-structure" says the Harbour Board.

From a freight viewpoint, Sealink Stena Line concentrates on high value, fast moving, accompanied express freight. With the completion of the Internal Market in 1993, freight customers will be able to move goods very quickly to their own depot or direct to their customers. This development would further complement the Dún Laoghaire operation.

Funding

The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board's plans for the development of the ferry terminal, at a cost of £24m, will involve securing investments from a number of sources in addition to the Harbour Authority's own revenues.

The Harbour operations have an operating surplus of income and this surplus should, in the opinion of the Board, be invested in the Harbour, particularly over the next few years. The development might be funded by a joint venture between the Harbour Authority, the ferry operator(s), CIE and European community Structural/Cohesion Funds.

The Board expect that future programmes of the European Community Structural/Cohesion Funds would provide a vital contribution to this project given its importance to improving the capacity and efficiency of the Dún Laoghaire operation.

FERRY TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT (cont.)

New ferry terminal complex

The ferry terminal complex is centred on St Michael's Wharf . The Board proposes a new terminal building and believes that the project will contribute a new high level of civic design commensurate with the architecture of the Harbour. An appropriate inter-connection of the Port and rail/ bus facilities is an essential feature of the future interchange development.

The final design will protect the visual amenity of the Harbour and would be subject to appropriate model studies, hydrographic surveys, site investigations, environmental impact study, civic design assessments and ultimately processing through the Planning Authorities.

This proposal has three salient elements; new passenger facilities. new shore operations area and the vessel berthage.

Passenger comfort

The new passenger terminal building and transportation interchange located over Mallin Station, the present Dún Laoghaire DART Station, will serve all the requirements of the ferries' operators and passengers, including ticket sales, information, departure lounge with cafe, rest rooms, shops, luggage check-in area and high level walkways for foot passengers direct to the ship. Incoming passengers will have a baggage reclaim hall, a customs and security treatment facility, and direct access to the entry concourse, tourist information, car hire reception etc. at Crofton Road Level and to all land transport modes including train, bus, private coach, taxi and private car.

Addressing the comfort and convenience of both the car passengers and freight drivers, the proposal incorporates a building adjacent to both the freight and car outwards area that will serve their needs with a ticket sales area, information and rest areas, small cafe and shop and accommodation for shore staff.

Shore operations area

A new shore operations area at St. Michael's Pier providing an additional 3.5 hectares between the berths will allow the Port approximately 6.1 hectares of operational area. This will improve the efficiency of the complex and allow a faster turnaround of ferries. The area will provide the space to marshal up to 560 cars and 110 express freight units. A significant reduction in the customs and excise service's demand for space will permit the allocation of a substantial area for multi-use car parking adjoining the ferry terminal complex which will in turn facilitate other aspects, both commercial and recreational, of the development of the Harbour.

Berthage

Berthage facilities are provided for ships of up to 140 metres in length and with a 30-metre beam. The link spans proposed and the length and depth of berthage will allow for the ferry operators' future requirements.

Traffic Management

The Board regards the planned traffic management survey, the purpose of which is to produce a Traffic Management Plan which will improve traffic movement, parking, pedestrian safety and general environmental conditions, as essential to the proper planning of the development of the Harbour and the Borough and proposes a number of initiatives to cope with ferry generated traffic.

Carlisle Pier

The present usage at the Carlisle Pier will be vacated and the pier reallocated to other public leisure/amenity uses.

RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Board believes that there is scope for more intensive recreational use of the Harbour. The boat population of the Harbour should be significantly expanded from its current number of 550 moorings according to the Plan. An increase in capacity is vital if progress in developing the recreation potential of the Harbour is to be achieved. Public access for dinghy users, rowing boats and sail training also needs to be expanded.

The Board considers that the optimal use of the waterspace in the Harbour will be achieved by increasing the number of moorings by employing methods such as, better use of existing swinging moorings, the introduction of fore-and-aft moorings and allocating areas for berthing and mooring boats. The Board has set down general criteria governing the allocation of moorings and the installation of marinas.

The scope for more intensive recreational use of the Harbour is provided by:

• Increase in swinging moorings.
• better use of existing swinging moorings
• the introduction of fore-and-aft moorings which will double capacity (additional 70 moorings)

Installation of marina facilities:

• The Coal Harbour (200 berths)
• The Carlisle/East Pier (200-300 berths)
• Residual locations (100-140 berths)
• The West Bight (800- 1 ,000 berths)

Fore-and-Aft Moorings

The Old Harbour is identified as the location for employing a fore-and-aft moorings regime. This is not feasible under existing conditions because of wave climate and insufficient depth. An appropriate breakwater, however, constructed to protect a marina in the Coal Harbour and some dredging could resolve these problems and facilitate this initiative. This would allow the Harbour Authority to accommodate a potential 70 additional moorings for small craft.

Swinging Moorings

The need to optimise the use of the waters pace within the Harbour and in particular, to ensure efficient usage of the present supp1y of swinging moorings is fundamental to the Plan. Currently 550 swinging moorings occupy 46 hectares (46%) of the Harbour waterspace, the number dictated by the open aspect of the Harbour with its vulnerability to weather from varying directions and tidal range.

The installation of marinas results in some reduction in existing swinging mooring acreage. The Plan, recognising the demand for swinging moorings, provides that every effort should be made to provide alternative facilities to discommoded users. The allocation of moorings which become vacant due to the transfer of craft to marinas will be an important method of achieving this objective.

Recommending the establishment of a procedure for the allocation of moorings, the Board proposes that a certain number of moorings would be allocated specifically for use by approved voluntary, not-for-profit, mutual clubs or to groups for sail training and other group activities. The Board will define criteria which will govern the activities of such voluntary organisations operating within the Harbour and using its moorings.

RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (cont.)

Access

It is a stated objective of the plan to enhance the facilities for sail training, dinghies, rowing boats etc. The Plan recognises the important role of sail training and other group activities in expanding the use of the Harbour. Measures such as the allocation of swinging moorings and design of navigable fairways and of breakwaters reflect the Board's commitment in this regard.
The plan intends to maintain and enhance the existing public slipways and to increase the number of such public access points to the water.

Public Marinas

All marinas installed in the Harbour will be under the control of the Harbour Authority. Public facilities would not be exclusive nor would membership of any club or organisation be a prerequisite for use of the facilities.

The Board considered three main locations within the Harbour for the installation of marinas.

The Board believes that the Coal Harbour is a suitable area for the early installation of a public marina facility subject to the operation satisfying the criteria established. The facility could install up to 220 berths in an area of water currently occupied by 55 swinging moorings held almost exclusively by members of the Dún Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club. A public amenity building could be located in the Stoneyard from which access to the pontoons would be achieved.

The Carlisle/East Pier is a desirable area in which to locate a marina and would provide an attractive spectacle for pedestrians on the East Pier. The marina installation depends on the availability of Carlisle Pier for locating on-shore facilities, replacement facilities for the Naval and Lifeboat services and the provision of car parking. The transfer of the ferry operation to St. Michael's Pier will facilitate this proposal in the medium term.

The West Bight is the area identified as having potential for a large marina installation and associated onshore facilities. Considerable disquiet was voiced in response to the landfill aspect of this development. It is hoped that these concerns can be addressed or some alternative means found of servicing the marina in the future. This proposal can only remain at this stage as a long term objective of the plan.

There is the possibility of providing extra facilities in association with the other developments proposed in this plan on residual sites in the Harbour. In each case the facilities would replace a proportion of existing swinging moorings occupied in the Harbour and facilitate the accommodation of moorings displaced by marina installations or other developments within the Harbour.

The Plan invites prospective developers to design developments amenable to phased introduction so as to improve their feasibility.

Criteria for development of marinas

The following criteria are seen by the Board as prerequisites of the installation of marina facilities within the Harbour:

• Essential on-shore facilities should be provided in reasonable proximity to the marina and not adversely effect existing public access to the waterfront.
• Car Parking should be within reasonable distance of the marina and according to specified standards.
• Public access should be permitted to amenity buildings etc., access to public piers and slipways should be enhanced and facilities should not cause congestion on existing roads.
• The marina should be afforded adequate protection from adverse weather without detriment to other facilities in the Harbour and the requirements of dinghy sailors taken into account when designing these structures.
• Developments will be the subject of a comprehensive environmental and visual impact study, all built structures, whether on land or on water, should be of a high design standard meeting all Harbour Authority and planning requirements and strict measures must be adopted to prevent water pollution.
• Accommodation of displaced moorings and existing on-shore facilities.
• Facilities will be under the control of and provide a financial return to the Harbour Authority , and must contribute towards infrastructural and other public costs incurred.
• Proposals to lease facilities within the Harbour should normally be subject to public advertisement and tendering.

AMENITY DEVELOPMENT

Public Services

At present four public service functions are undertaken in the Harbour by the Defence Forces, the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Dublin Tourism. The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board is keen to facilitate the continued operations of these valuable public services and believes that ameliorating measures as part of any development will allow the continuance of these operations.

Public Amenity of Major Importance

The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board's plan will enhance the amenity value of the natural and built environment of the Harbour by undertaking appropriate restoration of buildings and structures, suitable landscaping, provision of managed public car parking and improvements in pedestrian access and facilities for sightseeing, angling, bird- watching etc.

Dún Laoghaire Harbour is recognised as a public resource of major importance with a particular relationship (visual and amenity) existing between the Harbour and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire. The size of the Harbour enables it to accommodate a wide range of economic and leisure uses. Sailing activity associated with the Harbour has the potential to attract tourists to Dún Laoghaire by means of major yachting events in publin Bay while it also provides a spectacle for the many thousands of people who enjoy walking on the East and West Piers.

The Board's Development Plan for the Harbour details a number of actions to be undertaken including restoration work on architecturally important buildings/structures and enhancement of the Green on Harbour Road. Landscaping and other maintenance work will continue with special attention being focused on public car parking, pedestrian access for walking, sightseeing, bird watching and angling, the identification of a water carnival area and the promotion of events that add to visitors' interest in the amenity.

Further Information

This document has been prepared as a guideline to the Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour prepared by the Interim Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board in April 1992. It does not purport to be a comprehensive summary of all aspects of the plan.

A copy of the Development Plan can be obtained from Mr Frank Sheridan, Secretary, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board, Harbour Lodge, Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Phone: 01 2801311, Fax:012809607, Telex: 91798. (Please include £1.50 to include postage and packing.)

Harbour events diary 1992

EVENT DATE(S)

Sigma Irish Championships 16 and 17 May
Department of the Marine Dún Laoghaire Harbour Regatta Weekend 30 and 31 May
RNLI Record Breaking Sunflower 14 June
National Championships Dragon Class 6-10 July
Dún Laoghaire Festival 10-19 July
XXI11992 Flying Fifteen Irish Championships 17-21 July
International Flying Fifteen VIII World Championships 22-31 July
Dún Laoghaire/Howth Race 25 July
Howth/Dún Laoghaire Race 22 August
European Championships Laser II Class 22-29 August
Arts Week - exhibition on St. Michael's Pier 4-14 September
Dún Laoghaire Homecoming Exhibition 11-20 September.