The initiation of this study of the "Coastal Zone" by the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, following a proposal by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Mary Elliot and seconded by Cllr. Dónal Marren at the Annual General Meeting of the Council, is an appreciation of the open consultative process being fostered by the Council.

The main themes of the County Council’s proposed "Coastal Plan" are as follows:-

• Renewal of obsolete areas.
• Sustainable development and the feasibility of accommodating higher intensity of usage in the vicinity of DART stations.
• Visual appraisal and urban design.
• Environmental enhancement (paths, parks, public art etc.)
• Roads, parking, public transport and accessibility.
• Conservation and archaeology.
• Environmental designations (SPA, SAC), blue flag beaches, coastal protection.
• Maritime tradition, leisure, tourism and the Arts.

This opportunity to examine the options for the sensitive and sustainable development of this important natural, marine and architectural area of our County will provide a framework for the improvement of amenities and the conservation of the area from Booterstown to Sandycove. Also, it provides the opportunity to put forward suggestions for the infrastructural development and enhancement of this area for the citizens of the County and visitors alike.

The proposals contained herein, seek to encourage sensitive and appropriate renewal of derelict sites, improve existing seascapes and streetscapes, improve accessibility to amenities and heritage, expand leisure and recreational facilities, encourage public/private partnerships in investment and development and, community awareness, appreciation and knowledge of the wealth of amenities in the County of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown.

In researching, writing and presenting this proposal, for and on behalf of Dún Laoghaire-Dublin’s Riviera Ltd., I was privileged to have the opportunity to draw on the support and advice of the members of this community tourism company. The company is fortunate to have the ability to resource expertise in a range of fields and, through its association with the arts and heritage community in the County, a broader approach to the study of the "Coastal Zone" was made possible.

As a fifth generation native of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, I am keenly aware of the pride that my fellow citizens have in their towns, villages and maritime heritage of the "Coastal Zone". Therefore, I have sought to acknowledge that sense of ownership and pride in the area by putting forward proposals that add value to our amenities, leisure, recreational and heritage resources. Though, some of the proposals herein may challenge the traditional view of the role of the Local Authority in the provision of public amenities, I was conscious of the need to find the financial resources necessary to achieve the best possible sustainable development of the "Coastal Zone" of our County.

Finally, I wish to thank local Artist and Arts Educator, Veronica Heywood, for permitting the use of one of her paintings for the cover of this proposal.

MICHAEL MERRIGAN

In affirming the "Principle of Public Ownership & Right of Access" to our heritage and the various amenities in the County of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, it is understood that, the "Coastal Zone" is central to our County’s heritage and that:

• Our heritage needs protection and promotion.
• Our heritage is our responsibility.
• Our heritage will not, if left alone, protect itself.
• Our heritage cannot be just an issue for the voluntary sector.
• Our heritage cannot depend on the public purse for its survival.
• Our heritage cannot rely on yesterday’s solutions for its protection.
• Our heritage, starved of investment, will crumble.
• Our heritage cannot view all development as its enemy.


The maintenance of the status quo or just tinkering with the edges of the problems facing the protection of the heritage of the "Coastal Zone" are not options considered by this proposal. With over 50% of the Irish population living within 10 kilometres of the coast and thus, increasing the pressures of urbanisation here in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, time is not on our side.

The "Coastal Zone" of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County is unique in Ireland for its distinctive architecture, heritage and readily accessible public amenities, seascapes and maritime facilities. Therefore, with the increasing pressures of urbanisation, any development must be sensitive to the heritage and environment of this region.

Whilst, the "Coastal Zone", with its varied economic, recreational and leisure resources, benefits citizens of the County and visitors to the area, the promotion of a public awareness, appreciation and knowledge of the uniqueness, beauty and fragility of this heritage is central to this proposal. The objective, of which, is to provide a framework for the planning and sustainable development of the coastal region of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County and for the improvement of amenities and the conservation of the coastal zone.

It is a central theme of this proposal to identify the area as an "Urban Architectural & Maritime Heritage Area" and to set forth proposals to define, promote and develop this area in the interest of the public.

The proposal will explore options for the sustainable commercial exploitation of the structures available for development, in order, to finance any investment required to implement aspects of this proposal.

The development of the "Coastal Zone" is an investment in the future wellbeing, prosperity and quality of life of the citizens of the County, creates a new and prestigious identity for the County and promotes a pride in our County amongst our citizens.

It’s simply, development for all – a vision for the future of the "Coastal Zone" of the County as a single resort area of "Dublin’s Riviera".

2 METHODOLOGY

The proposal examines each area of the "Coastal Zone" by providing a description of the present condition of each area or site, a brief statement of heritage value. Then a brief outline of what is proposed for each area and suggest action and/or benefits etc. as provided by this proposal.

The area has been split between "Maritime" and "Urban Architectural" areas to enable each to be examined in context and, yet to provide a coherent overview in a linear manner from north to south. The proposal envisages this examination of the "Coastal Zone" from Booterstown to Sandycove to be Phase One of a process that must inevitably, be extended to cover the entire "Coastal Zone" from Booterstown in the north to the County Boundary beyond Shankill in the south.

The conclusions of this proposal envisage the County Council and the other agencies in the County working in partnership with the private sector to secure the investment necessary to implement these proposals, which are, cognisant of the financial restraints placed upon the County Council.

Therefore, in presenting this proposal for the "Coastal Zone" of the County, questions and challenges are posed seeking a fundamental shift by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council from "custodian/provider" to the position of commercial partnership and investor in the provision of leisure and recreational facilities.

It is a prerequisite for the successful implementation of the proposals contained herein, that the County Council embraces the notion that it can no longer afford to be the poor landlord of number of strategically located buildings in need of serious repair, maintenance or rebuilding. This situation serves only to drain the finite financial resources with little or no return for the County Council or the community.

Therefore, certain bold initiatives are required to both arrest this deplorable waste of resources and to create opportunities for a growth in revenue and an expansion in the quality of heritage facilities and public amenities in the County.

The proposal outlines the position of three wholly owned assets and one, in which, the County Council has an interest. Beneficial use of all of these assets should be realised through development either by disposal by public tender or by public/private partnerships based on the provision of leisure, recreational and entertainment facilities for the "Coastal Zone". However, securing future income from an increase in the number of commercially rateable units, as proposed herein, is coupled with the proposal to fund the establishment a state-of-the-art Municipal Museum & Art Gallery for the County of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown in an existing building wholly owned by the County Council.

It is time for the County Council to take a pro-active businesslike approach to the provision of heritage services and amenities for the citizens of the County and visitors alike. Therefore, any further expansion in these services or amenities must be funded in a sustainable manner through the sensitive development of the "Coastal Zone" of the County by a new County Development Company and the establishment of a "Heritage Fund" and, where required, a "Heritage Levy".

This proposal challenges the traditional views on the provision of heritage services and public amenities by the County Council and, therefore, advocates sustainable development in a modern commercial environment.