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.

The meeting was reminded 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.