#CruiseConcerns- An objection from businesses in Dun Laoghaire are to be lodged over the proposed development of the harbour into a cruise ship facility, reports the Herald.ie.

The Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Ratepayers' Association will make a submission outlining concerns about the Harbour Company's €15m plan to overhaul the harbour.

It will bring no economic benefit to the area and will upset the harbour, according to association chairman Peter Kerrigan.

"Passengers on cruise ships won't spend money in the town - they'll go out to Glendalough or into the city. All of their food and accommodation is on board," he said.
"With the ferries we had tourists coming in. They stayed locally and spent money."

The ferry routes were the "bread and butter" of the seaside town, Mr Kerrigan added.

Stena Line called time last month on its Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead route.

For more on the newspapers story click, here. 

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company unveiled Cruise Berth Plans details of the proposed €18m plan to facilitate some of the world's biggest cruise liners inside the harbour walls. 

As of today (30 March), the DLHC has opened a two week public consultation process in advance of an expected planning application to An Board Pleanala for the project.

In advance of the submission of the planning application, the Dun Laoghaire Stakeholder Group is anxious to hear the views of harbour stakeholders and the general public. 

Observations or comments can be submitted to the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, anytime up to 5pm on Friday, 13th April 2015.

For full details of the proposals and the public consulation process visit: http://dlharbour.ie/projects/cruise-berth-consultation/