An Taisce fails to stop Burren plan

An Taisce has failed in its attempt to prevent an interpretative centre being expanded to serve a network of ancient stone forts in the Burren.

This follows An Bord Pleanála granting planning permission to Mr John Davoren to establish the centre a short distance from the Caherconnell fort. The fort is less than a mile from the world-renowned Poulnabrone dolmen, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year.

Last year Clare County Council granted planning permission to Mr Davoren for an expanded visitor centre to serve the fort, which is on family lands.

An Taisce appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála after expressing concerns about the centre's proximity to the early Christian fort and its visual impact on the area.

Now the appeals board has granted permission for the proposal, ruling that it would not seriously affect the visual amenities of the area.

Planning had already been secured for an original proposal, and Mr Davoren said yesterday that work was already advanced on the original plan. "I couldn't wait for Bord Pleanála to make the decision so we have started work on the original centre. If we hadn't, we would have lost this summer season and we couldn't afford that to happen," he said.