A PUBLIC hearing into a controversial marina development in Co Wicklow will re-open at the end of the month.
The move comes after An Bord Pleanala, using new powers, suggested changes to the €300m project at Greystones planned by Wicklow County Council and a consortium of developers. The re-opened hearing on March 29 will allow the public to question contentious elements of the plan. It is expected to last two days, but could go on longer if necessary.
It will re-open almost a year to the day after the original An Bord Pleanala hearing began.
There has been massive opposition to the development, which has been objected to by thousands of Greystones residents, but is supported by most town councillors.
The original plans included a new Coast Guard station, beach area, a public boardwalk and 6,400 square metres (20,997 square feet) of commercial units. A 15-acre park and a 230-berth marina with a public slipway were also part of the plan.
But An Bord Pleanala asked the council to submit revised plans which would reduce the number of houses and remove apartment blocks close to Victorian housing in the area.
The revised plans included building over 340 houses and apartments, a 236-berth marina, more than 5,500 square metres of commercial space and provision of one of the largest public squares in Ireland.
Some 3,700 people made submissions on the revised plans, but opponents from the Greystones Protection and Development Association feel the development will not only make the 120-year old harbour look unsightly but will generate too much traffic.
Residents have also taken issue with plans to create a concrete batching plant near houses, and proposals on removing the old town dump from the beachfront.
They are also concerned about environmental issues and proposals to ship vast amounts of sand to replenish the beach.
Paul Melia
© Irish Independent
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