Dublin Port Company are planning a €1.1 bn development of their South Port, as the last stage of their overall masterplan for the Port. The project originally included
New Lo-Lo and Ro-Ro Terminals.
A large new ship turning area.
A 3,500 Container Storage area, with containers stacked 3 high and associated craneage, on the inner Sandymount Strand side of the Port.
A new South Port Access Route, ( SPAR ), linking the North and South Ports including a new bridge across the Liffey, east of the East Link Bridge.
A Maritime Village.
Some playing fields and a small park.
PRE-PLANNING CONSULTATIONS WITH SAMRA
In mid 2023, DPC CEO and his senior officials invited SAMRA to a consultation on their proposals , including, in particular, their proposed Container Storage area.
We raised a serious concern about this area, pointing out that it would be clearly visible from the Strand, whereas DPC argued that it would not be seen.
SAMRA commissioned a survey of the area, and a computer generated image of the storage. This clearly demonstrated that the containers would be visible.
We then organised a very well supported petition calling on DPC to remove this element of their proposal.
At a further consultation with DPC, they informed SAMRA that they would relocate the storage area to the northside of the development, and would instead use the area as a trailer park. We argued that the area should be used for amenity space including an extension of the Nature Reserve.
PLANNING APPLICATION
DPC lodged their Application to An Bord Pleanala in mid 2024, which showed the relocation of the Container Storage area, and the trailer park as they had advised to us.
SAMRA appointed a Planning Consultant, BPS Planning, to prepare a Submission on our behalf. The 87 page Submission, lodged in September 2024, argued strongly against the trailer park on various grounds, calling instead for the Nature Reserve to be extended and the provision of additional amenity facilities. Our Submission also addressed concerns on various other proposals, including the SPAR with a lack of joined up thinking about the cross river Luas, traffic considerations, construction planning, and community gain provisions including poor cycling infrastructure.
We have since made two further Submissions in 2025 in response to further information lodged by DPC with An Bord Pleanala, ( now An Coimisiun Pleanala ).
ACP's Decision on the Planning Application is awaited, with no timeframe yet given.
