This article is from page 4 of the 2006-07-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
RESIDENTS in the New Quay area are once again bidding to block plans for a sailing school and accommodation on the shores of Galway Bay.
Redbank Leisture Ltd., have applied to develop the school after Clare County Council refused on three occasions to grant it permission to build a visitor centre with multi-learning facilities and accommodation for 14 bedrooms.
Now, in their latest effort to utilize the land, the Galway-based company has lodged plans for a sailing school and eight-two bedroom units at Cartron, New Quay.
However, more than a dozen local residents, led by John Mulcahy have lodged an objection against the proposal.
“This is a very unsafe location for a sailing school in view of the speed/ force of inflow/outflow of water between Aughinish inlet and Galway bay,” they state in their application.
“The speed of flow has been measured up to four knots and with winds against the tide, this bay becomes very choppy and could be quite dangerous for young people learning to sail. The development does not take account of the ecological disruption and damage which will, potentially, be caused by excavations necessary for this project, especially, the concrete boat slip and channel to this slipway.
“We query the need for all the housing outlined on the foreshore for a sailing school. The site is located in an area of visually vulnerable landscape and all the proposed new building would interfere with views from the coast road to the sea.
“The proposed sewage facilities for up to 50 people represents an unacceptable environmental and health threat to the current pristine environment of the estuary and to the economically important shellfish sector.
“We consider the ‘proposed sailing centre’ is essentially a housing development with a potential sailing centre attached – the Service Block if desired can easily be converted to other purposes.
In a separate submission, An Taisce state: “This application is in an area, which is unique, and highly vulnerable, therefore we feel that an Environmental Impact Assessment is required especially as there is already another tourist project, which has been approved on this coastline, and the affect of both should be considered under the Strategic Environmental Directive scheme to which Ireland has signed.”
A decision is due on the application next month.