This article is from page 2 of the 2009-05-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
CLARE County Council has grant- ed planning permission for a visitor centre at the Pol an Jonain cave in Doolin.
Currently, there are no facilities on site and visitors are bussed to view the cave, which contains one of the largest free-hanging stalactites in the world. The plan involves the con- struction of a small visitor centre, along with a car-park for 30 cars and two bus bays.
Helen Browne, who 1s co-owner of the cave, said that the attraction was not viable without a visitor centre and the park ‘n’ ride system was not viable into the future.
“We’re delighted. We deserve the same chance as everyone else. We can’t compete with one hand tied be- hind our back.”
Ms Browne said that there is no reason why the planning permis- sion should be appealed to An Bord Pleanala, adding that she hopes con- struction work will commence in the aIbAebeeeen
The council gave the go-ahead for the scheme in spite of opposition from An Taisce, Ailwee Caves, the Pol an Jonain Action Group and the Speleo- logical Union of Ireland (SUI).
The council gave the plan the green
light after employing a geologist, Dr Maria McNamara of the Burren Ge- opark Project to examine the plan- ning application.
In her report, Dr McNamara said it was difficult to envisage a scenario in which the proposed development works — which include construct of foundations to a depth of only 60cm — would impact negatively upon the physical stability of the great stalac- WIR
The county council planning re- port pointed out that the precedent of visitor centres being developed at tourism sites in the north Clare area included the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, the Michael Cusack Centre, the Ailwee Caves and the Cahercon- nell Stone Fort.
The report also stated that the pro- posal “would add to the range of tourism attractions in north Clare thus adding significantly to the local economy ’.
The council gave the plan the go- ahead after concluding that it would not seriously injure the visual ameni- ties, landscape character and ecolog- ical and geological value of the area.