This article is from page 20 of the 2014-01-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
THE proposal to build an interactive tradition music visitors centre in Doolin received a setback this week as an Bord Pleanála overturned the recommendations of its own planning inspector, in forcing the developers to pay for the development of pedestrian access from the proposed centre to Doolin village.
Plans to construct an interactive visitor centre including retail space, service building, as well as car and coach parking were approved by Clare County Council in August of last year. A condition on the planning was to compel the developers, Tradtime Limited, to give a special contribution of € 30,000 to Clare County Council to develop pedestrian access to the site.
In her assessment of the appeal, an Bord Pleanála own inspector, Louise Kiernan, recommended that the condition for the special contribution be lifted, describing it as “unwar- ranted”.
“The planning authority are looking for too much,” she said in her report.
“They are getting lands for free as well as provision of a footpath and lighting across the site frontage and they are still looking for a large contribution towards a footpath link.”
In a rare move, the bord of an Bord Pleanála, decided to overturn the decision of its own inspector.
“Having regard to the nature of the proposed development, the likely lev- el of usage and associated volumes of pedestrian movement associated with the proposed development it is considered that in the absence of the provision of a suitable and safe pedestrian linkage between the site and the central area of Doolin the proposed development should not proceed,” they said.
“Accordingly, it is considered that the imposition of a financial levy as a special financial contribution towards the funding of such pedestrian linkage and footpath is appropriate.”