DESIGN OPTIONS are moving forward again for the development of the Doolin Pier Visitor Services Building.
Last year, Clare County Council had signalled their intent to submit a planning application for the visitor centre at Doolin Pier with An Bord Pleánala at the end of 2022 with the hope of gaining approval by the second quarter of 2023.
However, no proposal has been issued with the planning authority as of yet and targets to complete a detailed design, develop tender documents and appoint a contractor by 2023 are likely to suffer. The completion of struction and handover of the site had also been earmarked for 2024.
An appropriate assessment was recently completed at the Pier. This “has resulted in clarity regarding land use options and we are now moving forward with our design team to develop a workable plan for the scheme with a view to submission to An Bord Pleánala for planning approval at the earliest possible juncture,” senior executive engineer of Clare County Council’s project management office, Seán Lenihan outlined in April’s monthly management report.
He added, “This follows a period where it was necessary to pause the design process to allow time and space for surveying, monitoring and consideration of some of the more significant environmental requirements impacting the proposed development”.
Speaking at the April sitting of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) praised that the project was moving again. “I acknowledge the need outlined in the project but it really needs a focus and a drive to bring it forward”. He reminded the meeting that planning permission was granted in 2019 for the visitor centre.
