Ahoy for Doolin Pier development

THE controversial €6 million pier project in Doolin was given the go-ahead this week following a decision by An Bord Pleanála.

 

Doolin currently has the busiest passenger ferry terminal in the country outside of Ros a Mhíl in Galway. The proposed development at Ballaghaline, Doolin was given permission on Wednesday, subject to eight conditions.

Doolin businessman Eugene Garrihy of Doolin2Aran Ferries described the decision as “good news for the economy of the county”.

“From a business point of view and from the county’s point of view, I am delighted that we have gone through this onerous process and this democratic process and that it has meant everyone has had the chance to voice their concerns,” he said.

“Working in the existing environment up there, that is embarrassing. We have been reaching out to Europe promoting our product but when those customers arrive, we have been embarrassed when we bring them to the tin-box ticket offices. We have a tidal pier, we have transhipping and we have no proper toilets. So this development is very encouraging,” Mr Garrihy stated.

The project involves the construction of a pier more than 100 metres long, topped by a 2.25m seawall, the provision of minimum berthage of 60m for ferries and a 90m approach road. Building this will involve dredging a 40m-wide area of seabed from deeper water to the pier, along the berthing face of the pier and into the inter-tidal area. The south-facing side of the pier will also be protected by a revetment.

The project will include the provision of power, lighting and water to the pier and the installation of navigation aids, barriers, handrails, bollards, mooring rings, ladders and access steps, as well as surfer access, shower facilities and further parking.

Councillor Richard Nagle, who made a submission at the oral hearing last year, said he was very happy with An Bord Pleanála’s decision and looked forward to work beginning on the infrastructure project.
Mattie Shannon, station officer with Doolin Coastguard, has also endorsed the plan for the pier and spoke at the oral hearing, saying the existing pier is too exposed, short, restricted and at certain stages of the tide, too shallow for safe navigation.

The pier, it was noted, is used by many dive clubs, fishermen from the Aran Islands and local area, the Fisheries Protection Board, the Irish Army, Garda diving team and Navy diving teams.

In making its order, An Bord Pleanála stated if the pier development complies with the conditions it is imposing, “it would improve the public safety of facilities at Doolin, would enhance the quality of transportation to and from the Aran Islands, in particular Inisheer, would enhance the potential for development of tourism and employment in the area, would provide an opportunity to enhance/upgrade the landside facilities and amenities at Doolin, would not result in significant adverse effects on the environment and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.

The board stated it considered the Environmental Impact Statement submitted with the application, the submissions on file and the inspector’s assessment of environmental impacts before making its decision.

It found that subject to compliance with the conditions, the proposed development “would not have significant adverse effects on the environment”.

The West Coast Surf Club, which appealed the initial decision by Clare County Council to grant planning permission for the project, had said at the oral hearing that it wanted to see the pier developed but not at the expense of the waves at Crab Island. The club’s representative at the October hearing raised issues about wave modelling, which An Bord Pleanála acknowledged in their direction.

The board recognised that the waves highlighted by the surfers in their submission are of significance and in themselves play a role in the emerging sport, leisure and tourism activity of surfing. It also noted the hydrodynamic modelling submitted with the application does not cover all potential scenarios but considered Clare County Council’s approach to assessing impacts was reasonable.

“On the basis of the information provided, the board did not consider it likely that the impacts on the surfers’ waves would be significant and considered that any impacts would not be of such a nature and extent to warrant a refusal of the proposed development,” its order stated.

Reacting to the announcement from An Bord Pleanála, Mr Garrihy said he felt the effects of the decision would be felt across the county.

“I think it is marvellous for County Clare and will be a huge boost for the economy of the county and, in particular, North Clare and the area along the coast,” he said.

Chairperson of the West Coast Surf Club Cliodhna Fawl said the club did not have any comment to make on Wednesday but would be releasing a statement later in the week.