'Please refuse this nonsense': Trump Doonbeg ballroom plans stalled by objector
Gordon Deegan
Plans by the US President Donald Trump owned Trump Doonbeg resort in west Clare to construct a ballroom have been stalled by a sole objector living in Co Longford.
This follows Liam Madden of Convent Rd, Longford lodging separate appeals with An Coimiúsin Pleanála against two separate planning permissions granted by Clare Co Council last month for the permanent ballroom and other upgrades at the west Clare resort.
In his appeal against the planned ballroom, Madden has urged ACP to “please refuse this nonsense”.
Madden has stated that An Coimiúsin Pleanála must refuse planning permission for a number of reasons.
Madden contends that the planning documentation lodged with the application doesn’t comply with the Planning and Development Act “and cannot be remedied”.
Madden also pointed to what he describes as the marked deterioration of the 2mm Vertigo Angustior snail at the site.
Madden claims that the deterioration of the Vertigo Angustior to near extinction can be attributed to nothing other than the development taken as a whole since its inception.
This claim contradicts the conclusions of a report on the Vertigo Angustior lodged with the planning application which found that the decline of the snail at the site is due to marine erosion and habitat succession.
The report found that the proposed ballroom and associated works “will have no impact on Vertigo Angustior, and no mitigation or further action is required”.
However, in his appeal, Madden said that the Council attaching a condition to the planning permission requiring a conservation plan for the snail is "a farce".
He said that the developer is required to do this anyway.
Madden’s appeal follows three separate submissions he lodged on the ballroom application when the scheme was before Clare County Council.
The appeal describes Madden as an Environmental Scientist, Planning Consultant and Legal Advisor.
As part of the permission, the Council included a condition that before work commenced, the Trump Doonbeg firm, TIGL Ireland Enterprises Ltd is to draw up a Management Plan for the Vertigo Angustior.
In one of the 14 conditions attached to the permission, the Council last month requested Trump Doonbeg to submit the Vertigo Angustior Management Plan to the Council for approval and the plan is to include conservation management actions to restore favourable status of the Vertigo Angustior on the Trump Doonbeg lands.
The council granted planning permission for the proposal after concluding that the ballroom proposal would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity.
Commenting on the permission last month, Resort General Manager at Trump Doonbeg, Joe Russell commented that the scheme “represents a very important step in the continued evolution of the resort”.
He said at the time: “The ballroom will significantly strengthen our ability to grow the weddings, corporate, incentive and events markets, while complementing the scale and character of the existing property.
Russell added: “Crucially, this development also supports our long-term strategy of transitioning the resort from a traditionally seasonal operation to a fully year-round destination. Expanded indoor event capacity will allow us to drive business during the shoulder and winter months, supporting employment stability, local suppliers and the wider West Clare economy throughout the year.”
The planning authority granted planning permission for the ballroom and other upgrade works at the resort after a wave of local support resulted in several local organisations, including Doonbeg GAA, Doonbeg’s Men’s Shed, and Doonbeg Community Development Ltd lodging submissions in support of the proposal.
The Council received 17 third party submissions and 13 were in favour of the proposal and Doonbeg GAA told the council that if granted, the proposed works “will significantly increase and enhance the tourism product on offer in the area and provide long term sustainable employment which is so badly needed”.
On the plan to replace existing “outdated” temporary events structures, including a marquee, with the new permanent ballroom, planning consultants for Trump Doonbeg, Cunnane Stratton Reynolds stated that the need for the ballroom “is reinforced by the socio-economic role of Trump International Golf Links and Hotel within west Clare”.
Madden has been contacted for comment.
General Manager of Trump Doonbeg, Joe Russell said on Thursday: “We note that the appeal means that the planning permission granted by Clare County Council is now under review by An Coimisiún Pleanála, so the precise timetable for the development will ultimately depend on the outcome and timing of that process."
He added that “our proposed development forms part of a broader investment in the resort and the region”.
He said: “While we cannot assume the outcome of the planning process currently before ACP, our intention, subject to planning being granted, would be to progress the development following the Irish Open once the process has been concluded.”
*This article has been amended to include the comments from Joe Russell.
