*Cllr Bill Slattery (FG). Photograph: John Mangan
CAMPERVANS are flouting the system in Lahinch by paying €20 to leave their vehicles abandoned in the coastal town, a county councillor has claimed.
Criticism of Clare County Council and An Garda Síochána for failing to implement enacted by-laws on overnight camping was slammed by Cllr Bill Slattery (FG).
Speaking to The Clare Echo, he said there is a growing annoyance in Lahinch with campervans paying €4 per day or €20 for five days to leave their vehicles taking up prime spots on the promenade car park in one of the most prominent spots in the town. In the past week, four vans remained in situ for five days.
He said the persons involved are not holiday makers, “the word is out that you can park your campervan, pay €4 and leave it there for the day or pay €20 for the five days and leave it there without any interruption. Clare County Council and An Garda Síochána are not enforcing the by-laws”.
At Monday’s sitting of the Council, Cllr Slattery said both the local authority and Gardaí were “falling down in their duties in moving on campervans”. He revealed he had identified a site in Lahinch would be suitable for overnight parking and that he raised the matter with the planning section of the Council but “straight away there are obstacles because of the County Development Plan”.
Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) at the meeting had proposed the roll-out of new camping site models “due to (a) significant shortage in tourism accommodation”. Such a move “would create much needed overnight accommodation instantly benefiting many urban and rural communities both socially and economically throughout the county,” he maintained. “We’re trying to think outside the box,” commented Cllr O’Callaghan on ways to tackle the lack of bednights in the county.
Acting Director of Tourism Development with the Council, John O’Malley said the Council are working closely with Fáilte Ireland in the creation of an accommodation toolkit for the county “that supports the sustainable growth of tourist accommodation”. This “involves researching alternative options for tourist accommodation whilst balancing the site-specific sensititives of the landscape in various parts of the county” such as motorhome and campervan provision, shepherds huts, pods, treehouse accommodation, off grid and aire de service.
O’Malley said a business prospectus for Clare is under development and is focusing on two target audiences, inbound investors for hotels and extensions and also entrepreneurs for the provision of outdoor accommodation. He confirmed an online webinar event will be scheduled in September in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland “and experts in the area of off grid accommodation to provide information on planning considerations particularly in highly sensitive areas including options for wastewater and water services”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) requested that the planning department in the Council form an “integral part” of the scheduled webinar. Cllr Shane Talty (FF) noted that the Director was “very open” to working on the motion by his party colleague.
Benefits for the agri-tourism industry were welcomed by Cllr Joe Killeen (FF), “ We didn’t zone for those developments, maybe it can be done. Each village would have an area located for glamping or clamping, agri-tourism is necessary”.
Reinventing barnhouse accommodation was suggested by Cllr Garbiel Keating (FG), “it was very successful and brought tourists back to this county, for some reason various rules were brought in which made it more difficult for people”. A designated area for the parking of camper vans would be beneficial, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) believed.
“I’ve spoke often enough about the shortage of tourism accommodation and bednights in East Clare o I’d welcome any initiative,” commented Cllr Pat Burke (FG). “One registered lakeside holiday park in East Clare, it is full every night and it is the only one. We had it before in Killaloe, whether it is camping, glamping or whatever it is your having yourself we need these sites,” he added.
Praising the motion, Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) said, “Recreational vehicles as I call them are a fairly new form of tourism in Ireland, more people are hiring and buying these vehicles”, he pointed out some of the dedicated sites have showers and swimming pools in place.
Facilities in Kilrush and Doolin drew applause from Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF). “For this tourism niche we’re miles behind other counties. Everybody involved in tourism sector is asking for us to provide the opportunity”.
Grant funding must be secured to deliver the facilities, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) believed, “Opportunities identified for this are in sites now owned by the Council whether they are privately owned or community owned such as sports clubs”.
