This article is from page 2 of the 2007-12-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
A DOOLIN-BASED ferry company has failed to provide to Clare County Council with documentary evidence of legal interest that it owns the land it has placed a temporary ticket of- fice upon.
Earlier this year, the council asked Cliffs of Moher Cruises to submit documentary evidence of the compa- ny’s legal interest to apply for plan- ning permission for the ticket office at Doolin pier.
The council pointed out that the land on which the site was located was an area zoned in the North Clare Area Plan where it is the objective
of the council to reserve these lands for the future development of the pier and land based facilities and to facilitate the development of water based commercial activities for tour- ism and leisure uses for a sea rescue oon auee
As a result, the council states that they are concerned that the proposed development for retention will repre- sent piecemeal development which will hinder comprehensive develop- ment of these lands.
In its latest response to the council, Cliffs of Moher Cruises state that in relation to “the evidence of legal evi- dence in the lands, please be aware that the council as well as other par-
ties have been unsuccessful in their many attempts to establish legal in- terest in the site”.
The company state: “This is a live issue being dealt with by Clare County Council and we believe that it is current and ongoing.”
They added: “We have previously acquired temporary planning per- mission from the council to operate our temporary ticket office at this location.
“We have paid all rates due to the Clare County Council. We have paid all harbour fees with full agreement with Clare County Council.”
The company state that the tempo- rary retention permission is sought
for a period of three years and is sought until such time as a perma- nent facility is erected by either a public body, a private enterprise or a public-private partnership.
The company states: “We are pre- pared to co-operate with others in the development of such an approved structure which would be fully com- pliant with the planning require- neon nSed
The company points out that the business has been operational from Doolin pier since March 2003 and was granted temporary retention permission in February 2004.
A decision is due on the application later this month.