By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council monthly meeting
Wexford County Council members have approved Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) to develop public realm space in Wexford town at Crescent Quay between Harpers Lane and Oyster Lane and to construct a temporary multi-function venue.
Approval was given at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council. The venue with a footprint of approximately 1,200 square metres and 10 metres in height will be located parallel to Oyster Lane.
Demolition and the clearance of the site is nearing completion and was subject to a separate planning permission.
The development seeks to develop a temporary public amenity building with a translucent façade with Corteen Steel features and the structure will be a 400 plus seat multifunctional area including outdoor public realm space.
The public realm will be predominately hard surface with a range of different materials with sections planted and soft landscaped especially around the edges with strong public pedestrian links to the Crescent Quay and to South Main Street. The public realm will have public lighting, street furniture and access to toilets in the new proposed venue at Oyster Lane.
21 submissions were made in relation to the proposed venue and its capacity to be used as an entertainment venue following the demolition of the Dun Mhuire Hall.
A Senior Executive Architect (unnamed) made the following response; “While we understand the concern raised in relation to the use of the venue as a theatre, we wish to clarify that the proposed structure is not a replacement for the Dun Mhuire. It is a stand-alone, temporary venue on an adjoining site. Wexford County Council are working to a tight timeframe to deliver a public civic space and venue for use for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, 2024 and 2025. We would reiterate that it is not proposed to be a purpose-built theatre.”
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