An Bord Pleanala has approved planning permission for a £10 million 680-berth marina in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Conditions imposed in the permission have been described as "minor" relating to granite facings and walkways, but not materially affecting the scale of the proposal.
Permission for the international standard marina, a new boathoist, new breakwaters, car-parking and reclamation of land within the harbour walls was originally granted to Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company early in 1998, by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
It is hoped that when the marina is completed it will attract yachts from all over the world. Preparatory work on the project was funded by a £300,000 grant from the Department of the Marine. In 1995 the then minister for the marine, Mr Sean Barrett, allocated a £3 million grant for the construction of the breakwaters.
The remaining costs of the marina may now be funded by a private venture partner in association with the Harbour Company, or by pre-selling berths to fund construction.
According to the decision announced by Bord Pleanala yesterday, the approval is for two breakwaters including public promenade from the ferry terminal and the West Pier, the reclamation of 0.1 hectares of land from the sea in this area, a single-storey-over-basement 356 square metres facility for services, the construction of a vehicular access to the new building accessing Harbour Road, a single-storey security building of 21 square metres at Traders Wharf, and a third single-storey building of 83 square metres adjacent to Traders Wharf.
The proposal as approved makes provision for 290 new car spaces, landscaping improvements, underground services and the widening of an existing slipway in the inner Coal harbour.
A new boat hoist is also to be provided at the Coal Harbour.
At last October's planning appeal existing harbour users opposed the development of the marina, with St Michael's Rowing Club being advised by the former minister for the marine, Mr Eamon Gilmore, a local TD. The rowing club will now be forced to relocate its practice lanes which it has enjoyed since the 1920s, within the harbour.
A resident, Mr Gary Hooper, who objected to the development at the Bord Pleanala hearing, said the news of the approval was received yesterday. The objectors would be considering their options when they had more time to evaluate the decision.
