The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has failed to secure planning permission to erect a marquee on the roof of its multistorey car park to deal with periods of overcrowding in the arrivals hall.
The marquee, with a capacity of more than 1,000, was designed to accommodate passengers delayed by unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, aircraft problems or industrial relations issues.
The authority had intended to have the facility in place for the peak summer period when the airport struggles to cope with normal passenger number of about 90,000 each day, and has little room to accommodate those stranded as a result of delays. However, it is now unlikely that the facility will be built this year.
The authority announced plans for the marquee last April in the belief that it would not require planning permission. It was informed soon after by local authority Fingal County Council that it was required to submit a planning application.
The application was made last June and a decision was expected yesterday. However, the council was not satisfied with the plans and has requested additional information on a number of issues.
It has decided that the canvas structure envisaged by the authority would have an adverse visual impact. It is insisting the building be made of "prefabricated rigid material of attractive finish" and has directed the DAA to submit new architect's drawings.
The council has also requested additional information on the stability of the structure; the impact it would have on parking spaces and traffic circulation; confirmation that is would not be used for "normal" passenger-waiting purposes; and information on ventilation and toilet facilities.
The council will have a further six weeks to consider the application once the additional information has been supplied. A four-week appeals period will follow before construction can start, making mid to late October the earliest start date.
A spokeswoman for the DAA said it was disappointed by the decision and confirmed the marquee could not be put in place this summer.
"We are examining the request for additional information in detail and we will put together a response as soon as possible, but that will take at least a week. That means the facility won't be in place for this summer and we are disappointed the project has been further delayed."
The authority does intend to proceed with the application, she said. It is now gearing itself towards having the marquee in place for next summer.
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