The deadline for submissions on Dublin City Council's plan for the future of Dublin Bay, which proposes the full relocation of Dublin port outside the bay area, expires this Friday.
The framework plan, published last September, says that the relocation of the port, and the development of a new "city quarter" on the old port lands, would be the best option for the future of the area in terms of housing and social needs; the local and national economy; and the environment.
It also says the removal of the port from the city would be the best option for the efficiency of operations at the port, and the growth of its market in exports and imports.
The full relocation of industrial port activities would allow the development of housing for 55,000 people, and would be "economically very beneficial", the report states.
Under the relocation proposal, almost 260 hectares of port land would be redeveloped providing 28,000 new housing units, 1.19 million sq m of office space and 300,000 sq m of retail space.
It is envisaged that the initial phase of development would occur in Alexander Basin, the area adjacent to East Wall Road, over a three to five-year period.
The port would vacate all lands except for the cruise ship terminal in years 10 to 12 of the project, and this land would be released for development over a 10-year period. The entire project would be completed in 25 years.
The change from port industry to retail, office and general industrial use would allow more dense employment use, and would generate "significant gains" for the city.
The full relocation would allow for a scenic waterfront to boost tourism and provide capacity for the growing demand for social housing in the city.
In terms of the future development of port industries, the current site is "highly constrained", so much so that the port is limited in its ability to adopt the latest technologies and facilities.
The capacity of the current port to accept new, larger cargo vessels for imports was low, while most exporters were now based outside Dublin city.
While the plan focuses on the future of the port area, it also make proposals for the full extent of Dublin Bay from Booterstown to the North Bull Island.
There are proposals for a new South Bull Island as a recreational amenity and protection against flooding of the city, and measures to address the impact of climate change.
