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THE COMPANY TRYING to build a ‘world-class’ film studio on Dublin Bay is pushing ahead with the development despite the project being left out of key long-term plans for the area.
Earlier this week, Dublin City Council published the draft planning scheme for the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). The SDZ is an area of about 84 acres on Dublin Bay that is zoned for fast-track development, which means individual planning decisions can’t be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
Meanwhile, Dublin Bay Studios has been lobbying officials for months in an effort to get plans for a huge ‘Hollywood-style’ film studio, to be built on 20 acres in the SDZ, off the ground.
The company is backed by James Morris, the founder of TV3 and post-production facility Windmill Lane Pictures, and Alan Moloney, a producer behind several well-known films including the Oscar-nominated Brooklyn.
However, the council’s planning scheme, published yesterday, appeared to leave little scope for the ambitious project – which has a number of celebrity supporters.
There was no mention of a designated space for a huge studio, although the plans did mention that there may be opportunities for “uses associated with media/digital media and film production” within a section of the site.
They also refers to refers to a “cultural hub” at the Pigeon House Precinct, although this is outside the SDZ and would be subject to normal planning rules.
All to play for
Speaking to Fora, Morris today ruled out building the studio outside of the SDZ and said that the company plans to lobby officials so that the studio will be included in the final plan.
Asked if he was disappointed at the lack of a mention for a major studio, he said: “Not at all. This is a process and I think the (media production mention) is an acknowledgment of our existence. We think there is all to play for.”
Asked if he would consider locating the studio outside the SDZ he said: “We are holding out. We don’t know where else 20 acres can be found.
“Scale and capacity matters, having half of the offering is not good enough, we need to be as good as the best (international film studios).”
Location, location, location
Nevertheless, finding somewhere to put the studio in the SDZ will likely present a challenge. It is divided into three main plots of land, two of which are held by Dublin Port.
Dublin Port CEO Eamonn O’Reilly has repeatedly reiterated that his company plans to hold onto all of the port-owned land, which spans about 45 acres, for future expansion of shipping facilities.
The Irish Times reported that an earlier version of the SDZ plan included a provision for possible film industry use on port lands, but that this was removed following Dublin Port objections.
Of the remaining 39 acres in the SDZ, about 80% has been earmarked for residential development, with plans to build about 3,000 much-needed housing units in apartment blocks.
The remaining 20% of this site, totalling less than 10 acres, has been earmarked for an office and retail “buffer zone”.
Asked where Dublin Bay Studios could fit into the plans, Morris said: “It is not for us to actually say; (our aim) is for people to say that it is a good thing and see how it would work. We are not in the business of creating land plans.
“To accommodate us will require some sort of arrangement, (but) I don’t think that the housing will be cut short.
“We think that we are making a good case and we can be compatible with key stakeholders, we have to continue to make that case and see where we get.”
Celebrity support
Dublin Bay Studios plans to make a submission on Dublin City Council’s draft plans, which are open for feedback until early March.
Several celebrities, including Irish film stars Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy, have expressed their support for the project.
Dublin Bay Studios claims the new production facility, as envisaged, would create 1,800 direct jobs. It has the backing of the largest film workers union in Ireland, the IFWA.
It is estimated that the entire project could cost as much as €80 million to build. Creative Artists Agency, a management company which represents stars such as Colin Farrell and Steven Spielberg, is also supporting the project.
“We think we can build a world-class studio in Dublin. It is up to the councillors and do the city to decide what happens,” Morris said.
Dublin City Council is due to decide in May whether to adopt the existing SDZ scheme or to make amendments. Final plans are due to be approved by councillors this year, although the SDZ scheme can still be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
Written by Paul O’Donoghue and posted on Fora.ie
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Would you like to dance ?
No.
Sorry I think you misheard me I said your arse looks fat in that dress……….
Irish women know that most Irish men are lacking somewhat when it comes to pleasing them so they have to be more picky.
From the man’s point – its the female’s apparent hatred of hygiene. Wearing purple and pink – and thinking that Bono is cool.
And saying – I have to be up for mass tomorrow……
@Will. I’m not inclined to believe anybody that especially the hygiene bit…
Hi show us your tits.
Any of…
You are such a troll
Had a woman tell me one night, in coppers no less ” get away outta that there’s a smell of bengy off ye” that was about 15 years ago and I still have no idea what bengy is… It was Lynx Africa I told her!!
Benjy was a character in The Riordans, they were farmers, just in case you are serious.
This was a Zig and Zag joke for years. It’s a reference to Benjy from the Riordans many years ago.
GET IN THE VAN NOW! usually works
I’m Jimmy Saville works as good as that?
Can’t beat the chase of the Irish girls … the rejection. Great craic!
There are lines other than “will ya meet me mate over there?”?? huh…
I’ve lived in a few countries and Dublin women are definitely the most obnoxious and stuck up. I’ve seen a lot of my mates (no they weren’t hammered) get laughed at/told to p off by groups of very average looking women when they could have had a bit of banter or politely decline.
Thankfully I’ve never suffered it myself as I’m deadly looking but Dublin girls really need to up their game. Poland and Czech Republic have the hottest and least up themselves women. Great combo.
I love Irish men, once I get chatting to them that is, but in a nightclub Irish men can be aggressive messes (drunk, leering and just grab you) and at this point you just want to get away!
Honestly some nights the only thing you want to do is chat to your mates, have a few drinks and dance without anyone bothering you.
Also no one has brought this up but groping? How many women have been groped simply as a come on as they move through a night club or the dance floor? Not so much in Dublin but down the country! New Years Eve in Carlow was traumatic.
Headed out sat night, need to find my stick. I’ll be beating them off all night
They will probably have their own sticks……and dogs :)
My favourite chat-up line is Jimmy Carr’s “can you hold my pint while I go for a sh!t” or “here, does this rag smell like Rohypnol?”
Do you grass?
No!
Your the first cow I met that doesn’t
No woman likes a man who is hammered off his face. …. and they tend to be just that on a night out. Most chat up lines are either immensely cheesy, which is a pukefest, or immenseley vulgar… same outcome! If a guy stayed half sober I imagine he’d get a lot further :)
That may just be the ones I have come across, of course :)
Two simple steps to make sure you are never ever rejected by Mrs Shalakalananaka-
1. Ask the DJ to put on YMCA
2. Stand in front of her and dance to the whole song
Alternatively, be Benedict Cumberbatch, but my 2 step programme works as well too.
Will ya have a dance?
WHA?
Sorry, I think you misheard. I said you look fat in those pants.
Al, beat you too it ;)
You remind me of a movie star…..Mickey Rooney
Ask me sister I’m sweatin
You hav to do the Carlton from fresh prince, approach them like.. haaaaayyy..!! Then do the shuffle..
Jerseys and bad breath,no thanks
And that’s just the women…
Would you like to marry me?
I’d rather have a frontal lobotomy, a week in Cork – and three of my arms severed by a werewolf from Balinrobe….,…
Nothing has changed since the 60′s so!
Any women who spend the first 17-18 years of their lives in a convent are bound to hold certain prejudices. But because it’s so common in Ireland it’s often overlooked.
That’s a very 20th century point of view.
I’d always be up for a bit of banter because some guys can be very funny with their chat up lines. There was an awkward moment where a guy sidled up and attempted flirtation while the husband was standing beside me. We all had a laugh about it and chatted throughout the night. If a guy chances his arm and keeps it respectful, don’t tell him to F off, take it as a compliment and if you’re not interested don’t be a cow about it. I don’t like when a guy gets aggressive or messy and then threatening and abusive when you decline his sweaty, groping advances.
Your eyes are like spanners love, every time I look into them they tighten my nuts…..
Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?
Rohypnol you mean?
This site seems to really hate any form humour??? But they seem to back the clowns in government without knowing “taylor rules” within the E.U. structure for here?
Does this skirt make me look fat, no dear it is just the fat?
In ireland its always the pub,if you see a woman you like on wednesday at the petrol pumps ask her out,women arent always in the pub to meet men,they go out sometimes to just dance and dont want a man
“Me friend wants to know will you go with me” ah the innocence!
Because they are rotten with drink or have small wallets lol.
Eat grass
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