A proposal by a consortium to develop a 2,500 acre theme park in North County Dublin has been criticised in a report to councillors by Fingal County Council's planning department.
The planners described the likely viability of the proposal as 'highly questionable' given its location.
They also said it was difficult to imagine that the estimated number of visitors from within Ireland could be sustained, and claimed the proposal was relying on the retail component to be the main attraction to visitors. The proposal will be discussed at a special meeting of Fingal County Council on Monday.
Earlier, the consortium said it would begin to develop a formal planning application when Fingal County Council replied to its outline submissions.
In a statement, United Entertainment Partners (UEP) said the proposed Vega City development would cost ¦7 billion, would employ 40,000 people directly and would deliver 37 million tourists annually, giving ¦1 billion a year to the Exchequer.
UEP has appointed property developer Owen O'Callaghan as chairman of the company. It has identified a site 10km north of Dublin Airport as the primary location for the development.
The consortium says a feature of its plan is a twin-track mono-rail system running 22km from Dublin Airport to the park. UEP says it would finance this development, and include a public transport element by integrating with a proposed Metro line from the airport to the city centre.
The project would include 14 hotels, 10,000 apartments, a conference centre, golf course and ice rink. The group estimates that Vega City would be open around four years after approval.
