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Calls were made for the development
of public amenities at the Blackrock Baths in South Dublin at a
recent meeting held by the Green Party. Speakers expressed
frustration at the derelict state of the Baths and called for the
County Council to draw up a plan for the Baths and the adjoining car
park area between the Baths and the Main Street of Blackrock.
The Baths are owned by a consortium
that includes Treasury Holdings, Alanis Ltd, and well-known property
developer Paddy Kelly. It is understood that the consortium is in
talks with the County Council over future plans for the site.
Ciarán Cuffe TD and Cllr. Nessa
Childers organised the well-attended meeting that was held in the
St. Philip & St.
James' Parish Hall on Cross Avenue in Blackrock. Victor Boyan from
An Taisce also addressed the meeting.
Local Green Party Ciarán Cuffe TD
stated:
"The Green Party held this meeting
to ensure that there would be public debate on the Blackrock Baths
before a formal plan was submitted to the Council. For such an
important site we believe that it is crucial that there is wide
public consultation, a chance for the public to make imaginative
suggestions and vigorous debate".
"Any ideas for
the site should respect the Protected Structures of Idrone Terrace.
Ideally I'd like to see the Baths restored for swimming during the
summer months. Perhaps they could be heated by some form of solar
panels.
I'd like the Council to
get rid of the surface car park at Bath Place itself. Shops on the
ground floor with apartments overhead and a couple of levels of
parking with a courtyard on top would be one way of doing this.
Another idea would be to extend Blackrock Park southwards by
widening the narrow path that links the Park from the Railway
Station.
Cllr. Nessa Childers
said:
"We'll be looking for good public
amenities in any proposal on the site. We're not ruling out private
development, but it is crucial that the public benefit and that
there be no negative impact on the listed buildings at Idrone
Terrace.
Mr. Boyan reminded the meeting that
Councillors would have the final say on any proposal allow
development on the site, and called on the councillors to carefully
examine the lease under that the Council has for the site.
John Ducie of An Taisce Dún
Laoghaire stated that the building was an excellent example of early
twentieth century modern architecture and should be restored.
The meeting agreed that the
following principles should inform any decision on the site's
future.
-That a
framework Plan be drawn up for Blackrock Baths and the area between
Blackrock Park, Idrone Terrace and Bath Place including the surface
car park and bus parking area;
-this plan
shall prioritise the development of public amenities on the site;
-high rise
development shall be unacceptable for the site;
-concerns
were expressed at the DC (town centre) zoning for the site as this
might be used to promote inappropriate development;
-support was
given for the Sandycove to Sutton cycleway and walkway proposal
which would pass through the site;
-that a
consultation process be
initiated to invite the public's views on the site.
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