Changes to €6m Doolin pier plan

PROPOSALS for a €6 million pier at Doolin have been revised and scaled down in a bid to minimise any potential impact on the world-class surfing waves off the county’s coast.

The revised proposals are to be put through another public consultation process by Clare County Council, it was announced this week.
At this week’s meeting of the local authority, county manager Tom Coughlan outlined that the new plans will include moving the proposed pier 25 metres, reducing the length of the new pier by 15 metres and rotating it to lessen its impact on the waves.
Speaking at the meeting, which was attended by a number of concerned surfers in the public gallery, Mr Coughlan stated that while the council is not required to put the new plans out for further public consultation, he was concerned that there be a perception that the council is deficient in that respect.
“In all of the council’s involvement to date in issues relating to Doolin, consultation has been a critical factor in resolving the historic and complex problems which have existed for many years. I am therefore concerned at the fact that I have received correspondence from a number of surfing representative bodies which suggest that the council is in some way deficient in relation to the consultation process for the development, which is the subject of the Part VIII that is on the agenda for the meeting,” he commented.
He said that in discussions with the council’s legal advisors, he has been advised that the council can proceed with the plan without further public consultation.
“In order to remove any suspicion and to negate the possibility that any party could suggest that the council has not engaged to the fullest possible extent in public consultation, I recommend that the council not deal with the item on the agenda today and that the revised proposals for the development of a new pier at Doolin be put through another public consultation process,” he said.
“It is regrettable that such suggestions have already been made but this further consultation on the revised plans will demonstrate that the council is operating in good faith, which is the manner in which the council has operated up to now,” Mr Coughlan concluded.
Councillor Richard Nagle described the proposed development as a “vital piece of infrastructure” while Councillor Gerry Flynn outlined its importance to the tourism sector.
Councillor Joe Arkins commented that a “lot of misinformation is doing the rounds” and he said a lot of progress is being made on the Doolin development. Councillor Martin Conway said it is vital that the local authority do not lose funding for the project while also supporting the surfers who play a vital role in promoting the county.
Councillor Johnny Flynn praised the manager’s approach, saying, “The old style of the open door but closed ear is no longer relevant.” Councillor Brian Meaney described the surfer’s correspondence in relation to the matter as “passionate” and asked about the council’s wave modelling, urging that decisions are made with the “best knowledge” available.
Mr Coughlan told the councillors that the local authority is “trying to strike a balance between the requirements of the surfing community and the requirements of tourism and access to the Aran Islands”.