Sole objector stalls Trump Doonbeg plan to build ballroom
A computer-generated image of the planned ballroom addition to Donald Trump’s Trump Doonbeg golf resort in west Clare.
Plans by the Trump Doonbeg golf resort in west Clare to build a new ballroom have been halted after a sole objector from Longford lodged an appeal against the development.
Liam Madden of Convent Rd, Longford, lodged separate appeals with An Coimiúsin Pleanála against two separate planning permissions granted by Clare County Council last month for the permanent ballroom and other upgrades at the west Clare resort, owned by US president Donald Trump.
In his appeal against the planned ballroom, Mr Madden has urged An Coimiúsin Pleanála to “please refuse this nonsense”.
Mr Madden stated that An Coimiúsin Pleanála must refuse planning permission for a number of reasons.
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He contends that the planning documentation lodged with the application doesn’t comply with the Planning and Development Act “and cannot be remedied”.
He also pointed to what he describes as the marked deterioration of the 2mm vertigo angustior snail at the site. Mr Madden claims that the deterioration of the snail to near extinction can be attributed to nothing other than the development taken as a whole since its inception.
This claim contradicts the conclusions of a report on the vertigo angustior lodged with the planning application, which found that the decline of the snail at the site is due to marine erosion and habitat succession.
The report found that the proposed ballroom and associated works “will have no impact on vertigo angustior, and no mitigation or further action is required”.
In his appeal, Mr Madden said said it was a "farce" that the council attached a condition to the planning permission requiring a conservation plan for the snail. He said the developer is required to do this anyway.
Mr Madden’s appeal follows three separate submissions he lodged on the ballroom application when the scheme was before Clare County Council.
The appeal describes Mr Madden as an environmental scientist, planning consultant, and legal advisor.
As part of the permission, the council included a condition that before work commenced, the Trump Doonbeg firm, TIGL Ireland Enterprises Ltd would draw up a management plan for the vertigo angustior.
In one of the 14 conditions attached to the permission, the council last month requested Trump Doonbeg to submit the plan to the council for approval.
The council granted planning permission for the proposal after concluding that the ballroom proposal would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity.
Commenting on the permission last month, resort general manager Joe Russell said the scheme “represents a very important step in the continued evolution of the resort”.
He said: “The ballroom will significantly strengthen our ability to grow the weddings, corporate, incentive, and events markets, while complementing the scale and character of the existing property.
Mr Russell added: “Crucially, this development also supports our long-term strategy of transitioning the resort from a traditionally seasonal operation to a fully year-round destination. Expanded indoor event capacity will allow us to drive business during the shoulder and winter months, supporting employment stability, local suppliers, and the wider west Clare economy throughout the year.”
The planning authority granted planning permission for the ballroom and other upgrade works at the resort after a wave of local support resulted in several local organisations, including Doonbeg GAA, Doonbeg’s Men’s Shed, and Doonbeg Community Development Ltd lodging submissions in support of the proposal.
The council received 17 third-party submissions. Thirteen were in favour of the proposal. Doonbeg GAA told the council that if granted, the proposed works “will significantly increase and enhance the tourism product on offer in the area and provide long-term sustainable employment which is so badly needed”.
On the plan to replace existing “outdated” temporary events structures, including a marquee, with the new permanent ballroom, planning consultants for Trump Doonbeg, Cunnane Stratton Reynolds, stated that the need for the ballroom “is reinforced by the socioeconomic role of Trump International Golf Links and Hotel within west Clare”.
Mr Madden has been contacted for comment.
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Rita McInerney said that the current planning system, where anyone from any part of Ireland can object to a development a long distance away, is “ludicrous”.
Ms McInerney said she believes that if you do wish to object to a development, you must be able to show that you will be materially impacted by what is proposed. She said she is disappointed that appeals have been lodged.
“I along with others in the community have supported the new development and it is going to safeguard the future of the golf club.”
Ms McInerney said that the wages earned by locals from Trump Doonbeg "have put parts of west Clare through college as it is a great source of employment".
She said: “We made our judgement call on the application by supporting it and we will have to let the planning process take its course.”
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