Press Release – October 5th

In a statement, Cllr Richard Boyd Barrett, chairperson of the Save our Seafront group (SOS) has expressed relief that Dun Laoghaire –Rathdown Co. Council has finally put proposals for the redevelopment of Dun Laoghaire Baths before Councillors. 

The proposals were put before Councillors at a briefing meeting in the Council offices earlier this week (Oct 4th) , and included drawings and a minature model. 

The unveiling of the proposals follows protests organised by SOS over recent weeks at the failure of the Council to progress the redeveopment of the baths. 

The new proposals envisage a fully public amenity with a swimming pool, cafe, public viewing area and a walkway around the Baths joining Newtownsmith and the East pier. The proposals put also retain the existing  main baths pavillion and do not reach over the existing height of the baths building. 

Cllr Boyd Barrett said that the new plans represent a 180 – degree turn from previous schemes to build high-rise apartment blocks or reconstruct the entire seafront, and as such were a victory for the public and the Save Our Seafront campaign. 

There are some areas for concern in the proposals – particularly in terms of the envisaged breakwater around the baths that will extend to the east pier and planned changes to the rear entrance to the People’s Park. 

Cllr Boyd Barrett said, however, that the key was now to allow the public to have their say on the new proposals and that those public views should inform the final plan before work on the baths begins. 

The proposals are due to go on public display in the next few weeks. 

Cllr Boyd Barrett, chairperson of the Save Our Seafront group said: