The Irish Times

At least 9,000 people are likely to be living in the Grand Canal Docks area when it is finally developed in about five years, according to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority. The development authority yesterday unveiled a draft action plan for the 71-acre area which sees it developing as a 'new, vibrant city quarter' taking full advantage of the leisure potential of its extensive waterbodies. The draft plan, compiled by a consortium of consultants, proposes a pair of lifting or turning pedestrian bridges over the River Liffey, to improve accessibility to the area, as well as a "bus bridge" across the mouth of the Grand Canal. However, given that the draft is merely a consultation document, Dublin Corporation's chief planning officer, Mr Pat McDonnell, expressed concern that it could be "gazumped" by the frenetic pace of development in the city. The authority's chief executive, Mr Peter Coyne, said it was "critical" that both the authority and the corporation take early ownership of the Grand Canal Docks action plan so that it could be relied upon as a guideline for development.