Ten years after plans were first unveiled for a visitor centre at the Cliffs of Moher, Clare County Council yesterday secured planning permission for its €13 million project.
An Bord Pleanála ruled that the plan was in accordance with the principles of a sustainable tourism strategy for Co Clare and would not seriously injure the visual or natural amenities of the area.
The council secured permission in the face of strong opposition from its former partner in the plan, Shannon Development, and also from An Taisce.
The decision was yesterday welcomed by the mayor of Clare, Cllr Richard Nagle, who said the centre would provide a boost for tourism in north Clare.
However, An Taisce's heritage officer, Mr Ian Lumley, described the decision as "one of the worst ever made by An Bord Pleanála".
The centre - which is to cater for the 650,000 annual visitors to the cliffs - comprises an audio-visual theatre, a restaurant and an exhibition area, and will have its roof grassed over to lessen the visual impact.
One of the 19 conditions attached to the decision is that a retail centre which was to be located in the existing car-park is to be omitted.
After its involvement in the plan throughout the 1990s, Shannon Development withdrew from the scheme in March 2000, claiming that it was flawed and contrary to best international practice.
Over four days at a Bord Pleanála oral hearing in October, the agency opposed the council's plans and put forward its alternative plan which involved the removal of the existing car-park and the establishment of a "park-and-ride" scheme.
Yesterday, Shannon Development's director of tourism and heritage, Mr John King, said the company was disappointed by the appeals board's decision.
However, significantly, Mr King left the door open for Shannon Development to become involved.
"Both sides now need to take time out to examine the decision and we need to study it at board and executive level," he said.
He added that Shannon Development would take a "pragmatic approach" to the implications of the board's decision.
An Taisce said the decision "amounts to an outline planning permission, leaving most of the environmental issues to be resolved by means of internal agreement by the council in its role as developer and planning authority".
Cllr Nagle said he hoped "Shannon Development will co-operate fully in putting in place this very important project for the benefit of the entire county".
The council's project manager, Mr Gerard Dollard, said the board's decision was an endorsement of the council's plan.
The co-designer of the scheme, Mr Donogh O'Riordan of Cork-based O'Riordan Staehli Architects, said: "It is a fantastic solution to the challenges posed by the location.
"It brings with it minimal impact, but the maximum in terms of functionality, and I'm sure in 30 to 40 years time visitors to the cliffs will agree how appropriate the centre is for the location."
