Survey claims Dun Laoghaire marina breached planning limit

The State's largest marina at Dun Laoghaire extends 30 metres further west than approved by the planning authorities, according to a survey carried out for the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC).

The breakwater sheltering the marina berthing area has also been laid four metres further north than approved under the permission granted, the survey also shows. It is one of two breakwaters built at a cost of £12 million with EU and State support.

The Department of the Marine and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council confirmed to The Irish Times yesterday they were "investigating" a complaint relating to a possible breach of planning permission. Officials from the Department of the Marine are due to hold a preliminary meeting with the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company tomorrow. The first phase of the 680berth marina, comprising 350 berths, is due to be opened officially next month. The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company chief executive, Mr Michael Hanahoe, told The Irish Times that it would co-operate fully with any investigation.

He said he was confident that it was fully compliant. Mr Hanahoe said that an alteration to the layout of the marina pontoons had been approved under foreshore licence conditions by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.

A complaint has been lodged with the Department of the Marine and the local authority by Mr John O'Connor, - a yacht club member who is acting in a private capacity. It is understood that the RIYC, which is one of the State's most exclusive yacht clubs, did intend to issue legal proceedings over the alleged breaches, but entered into an agreement with the harbour company and the contractor, Marina Marketing and Management Ltd (MMM).

The club understood this to mean that it could continue using pontoons in front of it. Last month the Dun Laoghaire harbourmaster removed the pontoons.

The marina survey, commissioned by the RIYC and referred to by Mr O'Connor as the basis for his objection, found discrepancies in the position and dimensions of the structure in relation to planning permission.

The consultant, Mr Enda Conway, said the changes encroach on the RIYC, including an area approved for an extension to the club's premises, and installation of a boat hoist. He said the club had lost 12 metres of clear water at the western end of its proposed extension, and clearance in front of the boat hoist appeared to have been reduced from 27 metres to 16 metres.

A separate survey was conducted to check the position of the nearest breakwater and this was found to be four metres north of the original plan.

Mr Hanahoe confirmed that the original design for fuelling and waste disposal facilities had been abandoned after easterly gales in March proved that they would be unsuitable. Temporary arrangements were in place, pending work starting on a new design on March 8th, he said. The commodore of the RIYC, Mr Fred Espey, was unavailable for comment last night.