The development of visitor facilities at Mullaghmore in the Burren National Park will have a serious, long-term negative impact on the special qualities of the park and the Mullaghmore area in particular.
That is the view of a conservation architect, Mr Dawson Stelfox, who was giving evidence on the first day of a Bord Pleanala oral hearing of the appeal by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, against the decision of Clare County Council to refuse planning for visitor facilities at Mullaghmore.
In his submission, Mr Stelfox, the first expert witness to be called by the Burren Action Group (BAG), said the proposal represented the over-development of a sensitive site.
He said: "This proposal should not be allowed to proceed because no matter how sensitively the buildings or facilities are designed, it is the very principle of the development that is flawed and totally contrary to both best international practice and the Clare County Development Plan."
However, Mr Eamon Galligan SC, leading the appeal on behalf of Ms de Valera, stated in his opening comments that the proposal represented a minimalist approach to the provision of visitor facilities.
He said: "Primary interpretative facilities will be provided elsewhere at Corofin, Kilfenora and Ballyvaughan. The approach of the project team has been to design basic physical facilities adapted to the landscape so as to minimise visual intrusion while at the same time providing a base for the management of visitor impacts which occur whether this scheme proceeds of not."
Saying that the proposal addressed the growing needs of ecologically based tourism, Mr Galligan added that Duchas, the Heritage Service, which would operate the proposed facility, was satisfied that the "entry point" would have no significant adverse impact on the integrity of the Candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of which the application forms part.
The appeals board's inspector, An Bord Pleanala's Planning Officer, Mr Tom O'Connor, was told the proposed development site was made up of a disused quarry, a gravel pit and a previously reclaimed hazel field, 2 km south-west of Mullaghmore.
The hearing was told that Ms de Valera is seeking to develop an entry point which contains toilets, ranger accommodation and a covered waiting area on the site of the ill-fated interpretative centre.
The application is also seeking to retain a car-park, which will provide space for 76 cars and four mini-buses, and part of the existing treatment plant.
Yesterday's hearing was largely taken up with submissions on behalf of the Minister relating to the ecology, landscaping, noise impact, waste-water treatment and hydrology aspects of the application.
One of 12 expert witnesses to give evidence on behalf of Ms de Valera, Mr Fergal McCabe, an architect and town planner, said the proposal was part of an integrated approach to visitor access and facilities in the Burren which was in the process of implementation.
He added that the proposal was in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area, and did not materially contravene the Clare County Development Plan having regard to the proposal lack of adverse, visual or environmental impact on the outstanding amenity and the scientific interest of the area.
The hearing, expected to last until next Wednesday, continues today.
