Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: Bartra Property

#DublinBay - New plans to redevelop Bulloch Harbour, Dalkey in south Dublin writes The Irish Times has been dismissed by local opponents as “in some respects worse” than an original design rejected by planners a year ago.

A public meeting took place on Tuesday night aimed at rallying opposition to the development (see previous report) which Bartra Capital Property Group is behind.

The company, founded by developer Richard Barrett, has revised its earlier plan and hopes to secure permission from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for a scheme that would include two apartments and three large houses. It would also provide a building workshop for “traditional timber boats”, a public square, a cafe, community changing facilities and new units for existing businesses, including boat rentals.

Despite the developer’s insistence it addressed issues arising from its previous application, opponents say they remain concerned about potential flooding, wave over-topping and a scale of build considered “a gross intrusion” to the existing area.

“Unfortunately, this new application is in some respects worse than the one refused by the council,” said the Bulloch Harbour Preservation Association (BHPA) which organised the meeting, attended by about 250 people.

Its members believe the new application “pays virtually no attention to the special character, heritage and history of this small working harbour”.

To read further on the history and heritage of the small south Dublin Bay harbour, click here.

Published in Dublin Bay

#DublinBay - A Councillor has urged Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to reject the latest plans for Bulloch Harbour, Dalkey, writes the Dublin Gazette.

Councillor Michael Merrigan (Ind) has called on council planners to reject the current planning application for a mixed use development on the historic south Dublin Bay harbour pier.

Councillor Merrigan said he had considered in detail the planning application, drawings and reports lodged by the applicant with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, which Afloat adds took place just days before Christmas.

Afloat also adds that the mixed development lodged to DLCC by Bartra Property is for marine commercial, leisure/community and residential buildings.

A public meeting organised by Save Bulloch Harbour, led by Bulloch Harbour Preservation Association, is to be held next Tuesday, 23 January, for further details see photo-caption above. 

As the Dublin Gazette continues, original plans were rejected in February last year after almost 300 residents lodged complaints about the proposal.

Cllr Merrigan said: “The current development proposal submitted to the planning authority is inappropriate for Bulloch Harbour.

“It fails to address, the unique sense of place and maritime heritage and character of the area, which needs to be protected and sensitively enhanced as a coastal amenity.

“As a local county councillor for the area I am disappointed that no progress has been made on a master plan for the harbour.”

Cllr Merrigan said he had a number of concerns over the new plan.

He said that it was an inappropriate development for the area and added that it would have a negative impact on the existing fishing boat hire services.

To read more on the development, click here.

Published in Dublin Bay

#BullochHarbour - Submissions totalling 283 writes The Irish Times have been filed on a controversial development proposed for one of south Dublin’s most popular coastal inlets.

The Bulloch Harbour planning application would see a mixed-use development of commercial and residential buildings on the seafront.

Hostile public reaction immediately followed its filing in December, with meetings and an opposition campaign as covered on Afloat were quickly organised.

The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council planning department was still processing objections and observations over the weekend following last Thursday’s deadline.

A decision is expected in March. For more on the story click here.

Published in Dublin Bay

Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of.   For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water.  The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.

The Forty-foot Christmas Day swim

A Dublin institution that brings people from across Dublin and beyond for a dip in the chilly winter sea. Bathers arrive in the dark from 6 am and by noon the entire forty foot is a sea of red Santa hats!