The new wall is already upsetting environmentalists.
An Taisce wants the Minister for Heritage, Josepha Madigan to investigate Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, Co. Clare to ensure that it complies with conservation conditions set out in its planning permission.
The exclusive golf resort and hotel was given permission on 21 December to construct a sea defence that would protect the first, ninth and 18th holes from erosion, covering 600m at the south end of Doughmore Bay and 250m at the north end.
In a statement, the environmental NGO said, “An Taisce is also seeking information from the Minister for Culture Heritage and Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan to determine what action the National Parks and Wildlife Service is taking in response to the decision. The NPWS had made a highly critical submission on the proposal on scientific grounds, so that information is being sought as to whether an appeal by the NPWS to An Bord Pleanála is now being proposed.
“In view of the ecological damage which has occurred at the Trump family golf course at [the Trump International Golf Links, Scotland], An Taisce is also seeking intervention by Minister for Culture Heritage and Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan to investigate the site and take action ensure that the nature conservation conditions attached to the 1999 planning permission for the golf course development are being complied with.”
Any appeal must be made by 26 January 2018, but an Taisce has stated that it will not make an appeal to An Bord Pleanála until it has studied the grant more.
On the other hand, Tony Lowes from the group, Friends of the Irish Environment expressed his “shock” at the Council’s and said the decision must be appealed, writing,
“Friends of the Irish Environment, who failed in their 2000 High Court challenge to the original construction of the original golf course but succeeded in ensuring protection for a tiny snail, were one of the unsuccessful objectors.
“We relied on the best international scientific advice which said with absolute certainty that proposed seawalls will destroy the beach in front of them and will increase the rate of erosion on adjacent beaches.
“The decision must be appealed as the populist precedent it sets ushers in the growing new dark age of climate sceptics and anti-science that threatens far more than a single sand dune system on the wild Atlantic way.”
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