Visitor centre at Cliffs of Moher is opposed

An Taisce has joined in opposition against contentious plans by Clare County Council to develop a €12.5 million visitor centre at the Cliffs of Moher.

The council's plans already face opposition from its former partners in the venture, Shannon Development. Now the National Trust has lodged an objection, claiming the proposal was not justified and would have an adverse impact on the environment.

An Taisce, which has recommended the cliffs for World Heritage Site designation, said the application was one of the most significant lodged yet for a heritage site in Ireland.

Last April, in an effort to capitalise on the 750,000 annual visitors, the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre Ltd - a company set up by the council to process the application - lodged plans for a centre which would include an audio-visual theatre, a restaurant and exhibition area.

It would be built into the hillside behind the existing tea-rooms, shop and toilets and have a grassed roof to lessen its visual impact, while a shopping area would be built in the existing car park.

The council also wants to set up two park-and-ride car parks a short distance away to the north and south of the centre to reduce the pressure on the car-park.

In its objection, An Taisce said: "No justification has been made for the scale of the development as proposed. Despite the reduction in car-parking spaces, car and bus parking will remain a dominant element of the site and experience of arriving at it before approaching the cliff edge."

The National Trust said the centre was not related to an overall integrated management strategy for the wider area of a site recommended for World Heritage Site designation.

Shannon Development has lodged what it calls a "fundamental objection to the nature and scale of the centre".

Its chief executive, Mr Kevin Thompstone, said Shannon Development, which operates the existing tea-rooms and shop at the cliffs, is prepared to lose out commercially to protect the environment and heritage value of the cliffs.

A decision is to be made on the application by the Clare County Manager, Mr Willie Moloney.