Writer Brian Friel is among objectors to a proposed breakwater development in the Donegal fishery harbour of Greencastle, which is the subject of a Bord Pleanála hearing today.
The proposed 290-metre curving rock wall and a new 250- metre pier are due to be constructed by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. Donegal County Council is to provide safer shelter and additional berthage in the Inishowen fishing port at the mouth of Lough Foyle.
Dedicated berths for the port's fleet of mussel dredgers, a fuel berth and additional ice berth, and a new harbourmaster's office are also incorporated in the plan, which was selected from a shortlist of three options.
It has been appealed by several parties, including Mr Friel and Ms Joy McCormick, wife of architect Mr Liam McCormick.
In a letter on the planning file, Mr Friel says the proposed extensions to Greencastle are welcomed by all of the people in the area, particularly the fishermen.
However, he expresses concern about the impact of the development on the area's beauty and tranquillity. He also says the extension south of any further quay area and berthage will bring factories, which could deplete the value of property on the shoreline.
Mr Friel does express support for one of the shortlisted options which was not eventually selected after a series of public meetings and publication of an Environmental Impact Statement by consultants Posford Haskoning.
"The fishing industry is eloquent in stating its needs," he says. "The rest of us, though relatively few in number, believe our needs and concerns are significant too and must be democratically addressed."
Ms McCormick says the development could have a "devastating impact" on residents' lifestyle, including loss of view and loss of access to the seashore due to construction of a 19ft wall as part of the project. She expresses fears about exposure to dust, noise, lights, smell and rats during the estimated construction period.
Ms McCormick has told The Irish Times that her doctor had told her should would not be able to live there as she is asthmatic.
The impact statement showed that 16,500 lorry loads of rock would pass along her immediate road, one every five minutes, for more than two years.
The Department said mitigating measures would be taken to reduce the impact of construction on residents, while acknowledging the plan would have a significant impact on the character of the shoreline between the Queensport pier and Portachapel cottage.
The EIS recommended the establishment of a harbour management liaison group, convened and led by Donegal County Council, which would monitor actions and ensure compliance with planning regulations.
Greencastle is one of three main fishing ports in Co Donegal. It has been heavily dependent on fishing as industrial output on the Inishowen peninsula is just 38 per cent of national average.
