2,500 protest at council's plan for baths

Almost 2,500 people turned out in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, yesterday to protest at a council plan to develop the local baths.

Representatives from An Taisce joined the Save Our Seafront group and residents from around the county to show their opposition to a proposal to develop Dún Laoghaire Baths, in advance of a council meeting tonight when the plan is expected to be put to a vote.

The €140 million proposal was designed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council architects. It includes an eight-storey building with 180 apartments over retail units and restaurants, an indoor swimming and leisure complex, and a maritime park on five acres of infilled sea shore.

Dún Laoghaire resident Jim Fox said he attended the protest to show how much he dislikes the "atrocity" planned by the council.

"If Kingstown Town Council could develop the baths without private development, we should be able to afford to do it," he said.

Tom Finlay travelled from Blackrock to support the protesters. "I spent my youth swimming at Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire Baths. There is no reason why they can't be opened again."

He said he was conscious that if the Dún Laoghaire development was given the go-ahead, Blackrock Baths could be next.

Local resident Anne Dempsey said it was about time Dublin people took responsibility for the city. "We let developers and fat cats do too much for too long."

Her 11-year-old daughter, Anne, who was holding her own home-made placard, said the seafront should be for everyone.

Speaking at the protest, Labour spokesman for the environment Eamon Gilmore said he had concerns about how the proposed infill would impact on the coastal environment and suggested that the council work on an appropriate, proportional development for the site in consultation with local people.

Progressive Democrats deputy Fiona O'Malley said the current proposal was inappropriate and that the issue had galvanised locals.

Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe said the party would favour a modest development in keeping with the town and that it should be possible to reopen the baths without having to sell off the site to the private sector.

Other speakers included Maireád Mehigan, chairwoman of An Taisce's Dún Laoghaire association and Gene Feighery of the Combined Residents to Save Open Space.