Clare County Council has refused planning permission for new visitor facilities at the Cliffs of Moher. Shannon Development had applied to upgrade and expand amenities at the world-renowned tourist attraction. But the county council refused outline permission.
Last December the council became frustrated at lack of progress in negotiations with local landowners at the cliffs. Shannon Development decided to continue with the project on its own.
However, in a comprehensive rejection of the company's plans, the council has said that the proposed development would materially contravene the County Development Plan.
The council said: "It is the policy of the council as expressed in the County Development Plan as amended by the Cliffs of Moher Plan, 1991, to provide or permit the provision of an integrated visitor facility contained within a single building at the Cliffs of Moher. The proposed development would materially contravene the council's policy as it does not constitute an overall integrated development as envisaged in the County Development Plan as amended and would be prejudicial to such a facility."
The council also said: "By virtue of the council's ownership of the site on which the extension of the building is proposed and in the absence of any agreement with the council to transfer the necessary title, the applicant does not have title sufficient to enable them to carry out the development."
The council added that the proposed development would interfere with a view of special amenity value which it is necessary to preserve.
A Shannon Development representative expressed the company's disappointment at the council's refusal, adding that the company would be considering whether or not to appeal to An Bord Pleanala.
She said that the application was designed to improve facilities as a direct result of market feedback, which indicated serious dissatisfaction with the current set-up. She added that the proposal was not the ideal solution.
However, despite the refusal, a council spokesman said yesterday that the council is in negotiations with Shannon Development and Mr Tony Considine, who farms the land. Mr Considine has declared his continuing interest.
The council spokesman said it was optimistic of a resolution in the next couple of weeks.
