A plan to upgrade and develop the stretch of coastline between Booterstown and Sandycove was outlined at an area committee meeting attended by the members of Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council last night.
The preliminary plan includes developing derelict and underused sites, such as the Blackrock and Dun Laoghaire baths, and improving public parks and the coastal areas.
Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Booterstown marsh, the Martello Tower at Seapoint and Carlisle Pier will also be included in the plan for upgrading. Land a kilometre from DART stations will be examined for further use and development of amenities.
While councillors welcomed the plan, some expressed concern at the development of the coastal area. Developing areas such as the disused sea baths should not be done solely to maximise profits for developers, Ms Betty Coffey (Fianna Fail) said.
"I am concerned there is a message going out that things can be developed beyond a reasonable density. There must be some clawback to the community because at the end of the day it is the community that pays the price," she added.
Ms Niamh Bhreathnach (Labour) asked if the owners of the Blackrock Baths site had approached the council with a proposal to develop the area. There were rumours of proposals to build apartments and a car-park on the site, she said.
It was important that the plan to develop the coastline be done in an open and public manner, Ms Helen Keogh (Fine Gael) said.
Mr Barry Andrews (Fianna Fail) asked about the proposal for the "higher intensity of usage in the vicinity of DART stations", as there were rumours buildings might be extended upwards.
Mr Richard Cremins from the council's planning department said there would be public consultation from the early stages. He was in favour of the councillors having control over what happened in the plan. The term "intensity of use" near the DART stations was intended to focus on conservation areas and protected structures, he added.
"We will be looking to get infrastructure along the DART line where appropriate," he added.
The council will advertise its plan for the coast in the local and national media next month and will seek public submissions on it. Council staff will meet interested parties and will draft a plan which will go before the council.
The plan will be put on display for six months and amendments will be made at that stage. The plan will finally be considered by the council.
The planning department at Dun Loaghaire/Rathdown said it hoped the process would be complete in six months.