Pottery studio proposal for Doolin Cave

PLANS for the provision of a single storey studio building at Doolin Cave have been submitted to Clare County Council.
John and Helen Browne are seeking planning permission to construct a pottery studio/workshop at Doolin Cave, Craggycoradan West, Doolin.
An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission on the same site for a major visitor reception building with shop, café and display area, coach and car park, wastewater treatment and related site facilities at Doolin Cave, subject to 17 conditions, despite some objections in September 2009.
One of the planning conditions stipulated that visitor numbers could not exceed 55,000 in any calendar year in the interest of the orderly development of the site and safeguarding the long-term viability of the cave system.
The latest planning application, which was submitted by Limerick City-based architect, Josefina Fernández Frelier, is for a single storey artist’s studio to be built within the same site premises and connecting to existing site services.
According to Mr Frelier, the proposed studio will be built in cob and will have a grass roof. It is envisaged the use of local materials in the building of the studio will promote sustainability, by using traditional methods.
It is estimated that 7kg of clay and about 10g of glaze will be used weekly and the raw materials will be stored on the premises.
According to planning documents, no waste will be created by this proposed activity, one employee will be employed, while the operator will be able to use the existing car park.