*Photograph: Arthur Ellis
QUESTIONS around the impact on a tiny 2mm protected snail, the Vertigo Angustior is stalling plans by Donald Trump’s Doonbeg resort in West Clare for new pickle ball courts and other resort improvements.
This follows Clare County Council writing to Mr Trump’s TIGL Ireland Enterprises Ltd requesting a report from the firm on the potential for the proposed works to impact on the EU protected Vertigo Angustior’s population at the Trump owned lands.
The Council has told the Trump firm that the report should include a full survey report on the snail.
There are tens of millions of the whorl snail at the course and at Shannon Airport in 2014 shortly after purchasing the resort, Mr Trump told reporters that he would be a friend to the Vertigo Angustior at the site.
The TIGL Ireland Enterprises Ltd planning application is seeking permission for the pickle ball courts, basketball court, soft play areas and other improvements to the resort.
In relation to the Vertigo Angustior, a report lodged with the application states that given its location outside the terrestrial Special Area of Conservation (SCA) areas, the golf course proper, and the absence of the snail on the works areas, “there is no potential for the proposed development to adversely affect the integrity of Vertigo Angustior conservation objectives”.
However, the Council has stated that as no survey report on the Vertigo Angustior was received in the planning application, it can’t determine if surveys were carried out in all three of the 1km areas relating to the snail and requires further information.
In all, the Council has requested the Trump Doonbeg firm to address seven separate items in the further information request.
In relation to the location of the planned outdoor recreation areas, the Council has told the Trump firm that “health and safety issues may arise due to the potential for golf ball strike of patrons”.
The Council states that the location of the planned outdoor recreation areas is the rear yard at Doughmore House and is currently protected from golf ball strikes by existing overhead netting.
The Council states that it is unclear if overhead netting is proposed for the outdoor recreational area.
The planning authority is requesting that Trump Doonbeg outline the proposed mitigation measures to combat the potential for ball strikes on patrons.
Prior to the Council seeking the items of further information, locals had written to the Council urging it to grant planning permission to the new application.
Diarmuid O’Donnell called for planning permission in order to help create more “badly wanted” jobs in west Clare “when rural Ireland is collapsing around us”.
Doonbeg businessman, Hugh McNally told the Council that the continued operation of the hotel and golf course “has enriched the lives of many people locally and therefore all opportunities for growth and development must be embraced to allow this business to thrive”.
Mr McNally stated that “as a business owner operating in the village for the past 25 years, the importance of Trump Doonbeg cannot be overstated and has had a hugely positive impact for all fellow business owners”.
He said that “the quality of the lives of people living locally has risen substantially since the arrival of the golf club”.
In another submission, Colm Dillon told the Council that Trump Doonbeg is West Clare’s largest employer and states that “Doonbeg village is a thriving village and stands apart from other rural villages and its success is underpinned by the benefits, direct and indirect from Trump International Golf Links and Hotel”.
He said that the provision of pickle ball courts, a basketball court and two soft play areas “will enhance the tourism product currently available”.
West Clare man, Timothy Killeen told the council that “local people are proud of the resort and want to see its ongoing success”.
However, Joe Pender and Jenny Lynch told the council they are objecting concerning traffic from the proposed development.
They stated that the local road was never intended for industrial use.
They stated that “this quiet road is home to six children who walk and cycle this road and their safety would be a concern”.
Local residents, Tony and Helen Dyer told the council that they are very concerned about the increase in traffic volume on the single lane road.
The couple from Caherfeenick, Cree stated that “finally and most importantly, the proposed development will have a negative impact on the value or our property”.
They stated that “on the advice of a local auctioneer, we have been advised that it would be up to a reduction of 20pc.”
