Tenders sought for Doolin Pier

The building of a new pier in Doolin moved a step closer to reality this week when Clare County Council sought tenders for the design and building of the project. The tender documents were published on Monday with the deadline for responses set for May 13 next.

The successful tender will include a quote for services associated with a design and build contract for a new harbour development comprising a new pier, reventment, bed rock dredging, access road and associated works at Doolin.

The controversial €6 million project was given the go-ahead at the beginning of March, 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. Ferry operators, local business owners, members of the community and local representatives have been calling for a new pier in the village for years.

A Part 8 planning application was lodged by Clare County Council in April 2010, along with a foreshore license application. Subsequently, the West Coast Surf Club requested that An Bord Pleanála exercise its power to direct the local authority to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

An Bord Pleanála found that the development did require an Environmental Impact Assessment in September 2011. The council then submitted a foreshore development application for the project to the board in July last year and following an oral hearing, the board approved the proposal subject to conditions.