This article is from page 2 of the 2011-05-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
DOONBEG Golf Club has been given the final go-ahead to begin construction work on a controversial sea erosion management scheme in West Clare. An Bord Pleanála ruled last week to grant final planning permission for the work to take place at the golf course but only after it secured further guarantees that public access to the beach will not be blocked.
The erosion protection plan would see large concrete structures being inserted into the dune system at the Carrowmore Dunes, the White Strand, Doughmore Bay and along the edge of the Doonbeg Golf Course itself.
The planning authority has also ruled that Doonbeg Golf Course must agree to maintain the erosion protection at the site forever, even if the golf course itself ceases trade for any reason.
This judgement comes after an appeal taken by James McNulty of Ballinagun West in Cree against the granting of planning permission by Clare County Council for the development and an appeal taken by Doonbeg Golf Club on the conditions imposed on that planning decision by Clare County Council.
The work will see a number of heavy concrete slabs known as ‘seabees’ being inserted into the local sand dune network which will then be reshaped around the concrete. Marram grass and fencing will all be put in place to help prevent the sand from being eroded, exposing the concrete.
Doonbeg Golf Club will also have to submit full details of a monitoring programme for the erosion protection work to the planning authority. This programme will have to include protocol for assessing the effectiveness of the works including the impacts of the scheme on beach users.
Other matters that will be considered as part of this programme include the location’s Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area status, as will as the impact on marine and terrestrial flora and fauna and the dynamics of the beach formation and erosion.
According to the planing authority, the golf club will also have to employ “suitably qualified marine and terrestrial ecologists” to oversee the project. A construction and progress report for the development will also be submitted to both the planning authority and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.