THE Burren Action Group (BAG) claimed yesterday that the Government was persisting with development on the site of Mullaghmore in Co Clare and merely "tinkering with scale", which would not adequately protect an area of outstanding scenic amenity.
The claim follows the latest High Court hearing in Dublin in a case brought by BAG, which claims that development on the site carried out by a previous government, including a car park and ancillary works, is illegal and should be demolished.
The court was told this week that the Office of Public Works, on behalf of the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, is to submit a planning application to Clare County Council seeking permission for the development of an assembly area, toilets and facilities for wardens working in the National Park in which Mullaghmore mountain is located.
At the hearing before Mr Justice Flood, the OPW presented draft plans for development which, separate from the car park, amounts to 1,950 square feet, according to BAG, which is opposed to any development of the site. The hearing was adjourned until December pending a decision on the application by the planning authority.
"Where is the promise by the Government that this area would be preserved? What about EU Habitat Directives?" a BAG spokeswoman, Ms Finola McNamara, asked. "What is happening now is tinkering with size and scale. This was never the issue as far as we are concerned. We did not want any development in such a sensitive area."
Corofin had been identified as the main centre for interpreting the Burren. "If something doesn't happen with Corofin, Mullaghmore will again become the focus of attention. It's back to square one really if Corofin doesn't proceed."
While the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht had fulfilled a promise to put in place a consultative process on the future development of the Burren National Park, most of the submissions had been ignored, but principally one from the Heritage Council which strongly recommended that there be no significant development at Mullaghmore, she claimed.
BAG's understanding was that the Government was persisting with the development on the basis that money had already been spent on the site.
A spokesman for the Department said that, following recommendations by consultants to a steering committee, they were continuing to develop "a necklace of sites" including Mullaghmore, Corofin, Kilfenora and Ballyvaughan.
In Corofin, discussions were ongoing with local groups, including Clare Heritage Centre, with a view to establishing a visitors' centre with an audiovisual display and information facility focusing on the ecology and geology of the Burren. This would include offices and staff facilities.
In Kilfenora, they were examining the possible use of the Church of Ireland cathedral to focus on historical and archaeological features. There was a difficulty in Ballyvaughan, as features unique and distinct to that area had yet to be identified.
In relation to the Mullaghmore development, he said. "The Minister has signalled this. He intends to carry out development there of a modest nature. The planning application is expected to be submitted in early September."
BAG confirmed that it would be objecting to the application.
