Councillors to vote on controversial €6m pier plan amid surfer concerns
A majority of the local authority’s 32 councillors will be required to vote in favour of the proposal.
A previous plan was withdrawn last December by the council in response to surfers’ concerns over the impact the planned pier development will have on waves in the area.
The revised plan is located 25m further away from the waves and is 15m shorter in length.
However, in response to the revised plan, the Irish Surfing Association (ISA) has told the council that the proposal would destroy the Crab Island and Doolin Point waves “which have been surfed for decades and are world renowned”.
Fáilte Ireland has backed surfers’ concerns, requesting the council “to re-examine the existing proposal to redevelop Doolin pier, to ensure that the improvement of the pier facilities can proceed without compromising the amenity of the area for surfers”.
The agency state that the council should examine alternative locations for the proposed development.
However, Fáilte Ireland’s opposition to the plan places it at odds with local tourism interests.
Backed with more than 200 signatures, Doolin Tourism claim the redevelopment of the pier is vital to preserving and growing the local tourism market.
Olwyn Egan of Doolin Tourism said: “We must strongly appeal for the plans for the development of the pier to now go ahead, for the greater good of the area and the safety of all requiring the use of pier facility.”
The Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard Service has also lodged a submission in support of the plan.
However, in the manager’s report to councillors on the plan for today’s meeting, it recommends that planning be granted.
In response to surfers’ concerns, the report states that a wave modelling report confirms that the “greatest changes appear to occur to the east and north-east of Crab Island — which are outside the general surfing areas — and to a lesser extent in the approach between the island and the Point”.
In order for the council to draw down the €6m in Government funding, the project must be completed by this year.
The 32 councillors are expected to take their lead in the vote from the council’s five North Clare councillors.
Yesterday, one of the five, Cllr Martin Conway (FG) said he would vote in favour of the plan. He said: “North Clare is struggling with tourism and a proper pier would stimulate revenues.”
The four other north Clare councillors did not reveal how they would vote.
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