The idea of refurbishing the harbour and building a marina has been in gestation for almost 20 years but it was not until last May that Wicklow Co Council signed a private partnership deal with John Sisk & Son and Park Developments to build the 300m, which will include 375 apartments, over 6,000sq m (64,500sq ft) of commercial units and a 230-berth marina.

The plan, involving the acquisition of some 79 acres, including over 39 acres of foreshore, also includes a new harbour, coastal protection works, a public park and community club facilities.

While there is consensus in Greystones that the harbour needs to be refurbished, it is no surprise, given the scale of the proposed project, that many local residents object strongly.

Some have compared it to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co Council's proposed redevelopment of the rundown Dun Laoghaire baths as a high-rise apartment block.

Fiachra Etchingham, chairman of the Greystones Protection and Development Association, says that a largescale development for the harbour was proposed in 1997 and rejected by the public "Six years later the council unilaterally decided to go ahead with a scheme of the same scale and awarded the tender last year, " he said.

"Most people in Greystones think the proposed design is completely out of character with the town and, in particular, the harbour area, with its period houses."

However, Sean Quirke of Wicklow County Council argues that the redevelopment is exactly Greystones needs because it will provide much-needed facilities, more accommodation and improve the existing coastline.

"There is no doubt that the scheme is the best one for Greystones, especially since the population is set to double over the next 20 years, " he said. "This will inevitably increase the demand on coastline activities."

The consortium has lodged a planning application with An Bord Pleanala and an oral hearing is due to take place in the spring.

Meanwhile, an environmental impact statement (EIS) has been put on public view and, if the reaction of the residents' group is anything to go by, it seems likely that the development will become subject of another lengthy planning saga.

Residents have already held a number of public meetings to consider the EIS and intend to make detailed submissions before the closing date in February. "Supposedly one of the primary aims of the scheme is that it will address the issue of coastal erosion, but the EIS indicates only temporary protection will be provided, " says Etchingham "More worryingly, the document itself acknowledges that the design will have a profoundly negative impact on the landscape. In other words, it will be an eyesore."

Quirke disputes both these points, claiming that the original solution to the erosion problem was not viable and that, instead, they are now obliged to provide ongoing maintenance.

With regard to the use of the phrase "profoundly negative" in the EIS, Quirke says this is a technical term.

"When any new development, is built it is impossible for it not to diminish in some way the view other buildings around it have. But you have to take a balanced approach and accept that, while some views may be affected, the development will also create new views."

Etchingham also has concerns about the traffic implications of such a large scheme as envisaged for Greystones.

"When the idea was first mooted in 1997, a study found that the maximum number of apartments the site could accommodate was 250, but the current plan envisages 375 units. I don't think there is any justification for this.

"There is also a health issue because concrete blocks will have to be cast on site. The statement indicates that wind conditions may cause some concrete dust to be blown away from the site, which is clearly a concern because of the carcinogenic risk associated with concrete dust."

Again, Quirke denies that these concerns are valid.

"There is no danger of dust from the concrete reaching the homes of any of the residents because the mixing procedure will be sealed at all times.

"The possibility of dust being blown off the site referred to in the EIS deals with the general risk attaching to building sites, which will be subject to mitigating measures in any event.

"As for the traffic study that recommended only 200 apartments, it is less relevant now because the Dart is connected to Greystones, and a temporary southern access road will be opened before the development commences."

Aside from the technical objections, Etchingham says the scale of the scheme is simply unnecessary, and that it has no public support.

"We proposed a smallerscale design that would require only minimal housing and was costed at around 30m, " he said. "This would restore the harbour without need for any massive building project. Half a kilometre of the beach will be privatised, and I think the council is acting more for more commercial interests than for the people and the town."

Quirke contends that it is inaccurate to say that land is being privatised. "The area is predominantly open to the public and there will be a new public park as well facilities for the various sailing clubs and the coast guard.

"The council engaged consultants, including architects and marine engineers, to analyse the residents' proposal, but found that it wasn't viable. The reality is that we will not get the requisite funding for this scheme from the government, so a publicprivate partnership is the best way to go.

"There is an extremely vocal lobby opposed to this scheme, but there has been a positive response from some quarters and the local councillors are overwhelmingly in favour of it."

The environmental impact statement for the planned development is on display in the library in Greystones, in the council's office and the County Buildings in Wicklow town until the middle of February.