Residents object to extension at Sutton sailing club

One of the beaches on the north side of Dublin could be lost if a foreshore licence is granted for the extension of a local dinghy club, according to residents in Sutton. The beach is in a proposed Natural Heritage Area.

Residents of Strand Road, Sutton, have appealed to the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, to reject a foreshore licence application by Sutton Dinghy Club for the extension of its premises because of the impact it would have on the beach between Sutton Cross and Red Rock.

Ms Karin Dubsky, Coastwatch international co-ordinator, has also expressed concern about the effect on the habitat, and has described the intertidal area of the beach as a "jigsaw of different habitats" in an area frequented by migratory birds.

The dinghy club, which has a reputation for junior sailing and runs programmes for inner-city groups, maintains that its plans will result in a much more effective use of the marine resource in the area.

Fingal County Council has decided to grant the club planning permission for the extension, which involves expanding its changing facilities, providing a purpose-built area for rescue craft, and extending the quay, slipway and boat-park. A foreshore licence is required for part of the development.

Mr Anthony Beshoff of the Strand Road Residents' Association says the public beach on the Sutton side, across from Bull Island, will be lost. He maintains there is no ample parking for the extension. The residents' association has appealed the planning permission on the same grounds.

The association says it represents 70 to 80 residents but the issue is one that concerns the wider public in terms of access to the coastline, Mr Beshoff argues.

Mr Charles Sargent, commodore of Sutton Dinghy Club, said the beach was formed as a result of siltation only 30 years ago and was used by a small number of people. A marine siltation expert had advised the club that the beach could be rebuilt outside the expanded boat-park.

The contentious element of the project is a 35 metre by 35 metre enlargement of the boat-park. "We are non-elitist. We have a membership representing some 350 to 400 people. We have a very active junior section and we have inner-city groups out here all the time. We would maintain that this project will open up sailing to even more people," Mr Sargent said.

The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources has confirmed that it received the foreshore licence application last year. A spokesman said it had also received comments and objections, and the applicant had responded to these.

The matter had been referred to the Department's engineering division for an opinion, the spokesman said. The final decision would be taken by the Minister, Mr Fahey, acting on this technical advice, he said.