An Taisce yesterday criticised Clare County Council over the planning authority's decision to allow extensive development works to take place at Pol an Ionain cave near Doolin, Co Clare, without planning permission.
In a bid to prevent the works continuing, An Taisce has referred the matter to An Bord Pleanála, while the Pol an Ionain Action Group has initiated High Court moves to have the work stopped.
Both groups believe the works have the potential to damage what is reputedly the world's largest hanging free stalactite - 23 feet - inside the cave.
Since 1991, developers John and Helen Browne, of Roadford, Doolin, have been seeking to turn the cave into a tourist attraction, complete with an interpretative centre.
Early efforts became embroiled in a long-running contractual dispute that ended up in the High Court before the Brownes were granted planning permission by the council in 2000 despite strong opposition from environmental groups.
The decision was appealed by An Taisce and the Pol an Ionain Action Group and planning was refused 12 months ago by An Bord Pleanála after the Brownes were unable to complete the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposal.
Now, after commissioning an independent report and seeking legal advice, the council has given the Brownes the go-ahead to carry out research work under an exemption under the planning laws allowing works to be carried out for research purposes.
The independent report by Dublin-based KT Cullen and Co Ltd found that it "does not find the works to be excessive in any way and believe that the limited amount of vibration will not impact on the stalactite".
However, An Taisce's planning officer, Mr John O'Sullivan, claimed yesterday that the work taking place at the cave "is development through the back door facilitated by the council".
He said: "It is patently obvious that the nature and scale of the works cannot qualify under exempt development, and the council is failing in its responsibility to enforce the planning laws."
Mr O'Sullivan is supported by the Pol an Ionain Action Group which said the works are in excess of what could be classed as exempt development and has the potential to damage the stalactite.
The Brownes have until next Monday to respond to affidavits lodged to court by the Pol an Ionain Action Group.
