Plans to develop Dublin Port but many of those living in the bay area of the city are not impressed.
Residents living in the Dublin Bay area are not happy about proposals for redevelopment of the Dublin Port and Bay area and have taken to the streets with a protest outside the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. David Timlin reports from Dublin Port.
It's one of the very few harbours in the state capable of taking ships of up to 200,000 tonnes and within a forty-mile radius of here almost half the Republic's international trade terminates or originates.
A primary objective of the redevelopment is to protect the jobs of the approximate 12,000 workers who make a living within the port area. Residents in and around the port area are concerned about how the redevelopment will affect local amenities and are eager to protect them.
The plan for the port issued by the Port and Docks Board has a number of recommendations. North of the River Liffey it is proposed to reclaim the area between the existing port and the point opposite the tip of the Bull Wall. This would provide port transit and storage space.
The area between Clontarf promenade and the existing and proposed new port area will remain an amenity area varying in width from 380 to 750 yards. It's proposed to plant trees and shrubs along the perimeter.
There are also plans for bathing areas, and sailing and pleasure boat facilities.
South of the Liffey the proposals include a housing and amenity area comprising apartments, houses, a shopping centre, schools, a social centre, swimming pool, churches, parking, and parks. It is envisaged that up to 5,000 dwellings could be built with 20,000 residents.
The new beach would give better access to the sea at all times than the present Sandymount Strand.
There is also a proposal for a yacht harbour at the eastern extremity of the bay.
In the port itself, the vision is to develop an area for industrial employment.
The questions remain however about how much this redevelopment will cost, who will pay for it and how long will it take.
General Manager of Dublin Port and Dock's Board, Mr DA Hegarty spoke to RTÉ News about the report and the compensation it would offer to residents of Clontarf and Sandymount. Mr Hegarty says that the report outlines that there should be no deterioration in the value of residential property as a result of the development. He also states that every possible effort will be made to protect existing local amenities alongside the provision of new amenities. He also suggests that the Dublin Port and Dock's Board would be willing to put up an amenities screen around the port area,
So as to obscure the view of anything that might not be pleasant.
At this stage, the report merely contains suggestions for development and it remains to be seen if they are implemented.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 26 July 1972. The reporter is David Timlin.
