Cave plan arouses stalactite concern

Clare County Council has expressed concern that plans to develop a cave as a tourist attraction may damage what is reputedly the largest free-hanging stalactite in the world.

Last April, John and Helen Browne from Roadford, Doolin, applied for planning permission to develop Pol an Ionain cave, near Doolin, to allow public access to the seven-metre stalactite. The plan includes excavating a 97-metre tunnel from the surface to the chamber that contains the stalactite through drilling and low-level blasting.

The applicants are also seeking to develop a visitor centre, a shop and a car-park to cater for 70 cars and four buses on the six-acre site.

They received planning permission from both the council and An Bord Pleanala to develop the cave in 1991-92. But having become involved in a High Court action with a local landowner, the planning permission lapsed, necessitating a fresh application.

Clare County Council has put on hold any plans to develop the cave, requesting substantial additional information from the applicants after receiving an independent report on the impact of the plan and objections by An Taisce, the Pol an Ionain Action Group and a number of north Clare residents.

The report stated: "There are a number of uncertainties with respect to the proposed development, particularly with respect to its impact on the stalactite, which should be addressed in greater detail." In its request for further information, the council says it is concerned that the plan is liable to affect the stalactite, which, it points out, is of major scientific interest.

It is also concerned that the climatic regime of the cave system might be altered and that this could damage the stalactite formation.

Ms Helen Browne said yesterday that they were able to satisfy all the council's and An Bord Pleanala's requests for further information. She added that she intended to lodge the additional information with the council by the end of the month.

Mr Dermot McKinney, spokesman for the Pol an Ionain Action Group, which has called for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the project, said: "It is obvious the council has put a lot of thought and work into seeking the additional information. However, we will be still seeking an EIS to fully evaluate the application."

A decision will be made two months after the additional information has been lodged.