Couple submit scaled-down plans for development of stalactite cave in Clare

A further attempt was yesterday launched to develop as a tourist attraction a cave which reputedly contains the largest free-hanging stalactite in the world.

Over the past 12 years, John and Helen Browne of Ardeamish, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, have made several bids to develop Pól an Ionáin cave in Doolin. They secured planning from both Clare County Council and An Bord Pleanála in 1991 but the five-year planning permission lapsed after they became ensnared in a long-running High Court battle over lands around Pól an Ionáin.

In 1999, they once more lodged plans to develop a visitor centre, restaurant and car park at the site along with developing the cave. Again, the county council gave the project the go-ahead, but An Bord Pleanála refused planning after the developers were unable to complete an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the plan.

Over the past decade, the Brownes have faced opposition from the locally based Pól an Ionáin Action Group and An Taisce with both groups fearing that the plan to develop the cave may potentially damage the seven-metre long Great Stal.

However, they have now lodged scaled-down plans which excludes the visitor centre/restaurant/car-park element of the proposal. Instead, they plan to bus groups with a maximum number of 15 to the cave from nearby Doolin. They have also submitted an environmental impact statement.

It states that the proposal "is sustainable in that it protects the cave system for future generations and manages any changes that may occur in the cave environment". It says the cave and stalactite "is an important part of our natural heritage that will be protected for the future. This is not happening at the moment as there is no management plan in place for the cave."

The Brownes expect 20,000-30,000 visitors each year to pay to see the Great Stal.

In relation to concerns over the potential impacts of blasting, it adds that the proposal has been revised and "it is now intended to enlarge the existing passage by drilling holes and spalling off the limestone".

The Brownes say they will introduce a draft management plan for the cave. According to the environmental impact statement: "It is intended by the developers to conserve the integrity of the cave environment in as near pristine state as possible to ensure that the project is ecologically sustainable while seeking to enhance the enjoyment of the visitor."

A spokesman for Friends of the Irish Environment has claimed the plan is invalid as part of it contains an unauthorised development. He said yesterday: "The shaft development is unauthorised and before the council can examine this new application, the developers must first seek and obtain planning retention for the shaft."