Any update on the doolin harbour proposal?

Jomob

?

OldGuysRule

The West Coast Surf Club have met with Clare County Council and their consulting engineers and are now engaged in a consultative process. The outcome is not yet clear and a follow up meeting is awaited.

CRenegade

Thats pretty much it at the moment, we had a meeting last week and are awaiting on the county council to get back to us.

The process is still ongoing.

We will update all in due course with relevant info when we have it.

AnonymousPrime

CRenegade wrote: »

We will update all in due course with relevant info when we have it.

Where will you post updates?

CRenegade

AnonymousPrime wrote: »

Where will you post updates?

Well I guess this forum will be as good a place as any.

The surfing organiations will have information also.

But we have to wait and see on the council before we will know anything.

CRenegade

Some of the latest news in the papers: http://www.clarepeople.com/wordp5/201010223849/council-to-give-more-detail-on-doolin-pier-plan/

Oh and here also: http://www.clarepeople.com/wordp5/201011064279/council-may-consider-scaled-down-pier-plan/

CRenegade

Sorry I dont have any good news:

The vote by the councillors on the Doolin Pier is scheduled for Monday. We have been striving for revised proposals, proper wave modelling and for meetings with the councillors and relevant people.

The council have slightly revised the proposal but this is still going to destroy the waves. They also carried out VERY INACCURATE wave modelling.

The planners report of Clare Co. Co. going to the Councillors to inform them of how to vote is TOTALLY FLAWED. It does not have the details of all the surfer submissions but says there was 72 submissions and the concerns have been dealt with! - Total lies.

Anyone in the Clare area needs to contact their councillor and let them know of this situation. We are still working as hard as we can behind the scenes.

This facebook page has more info.

I have published the Lahinch Area Economic report on my site here. This has been sent to all councillors and the other relevant people in clare Co. Co.

kodute

Please post the contact details for all the councillors involved. I will be contacting my local councillor today...

CRenegade

kodute wrote: »

Please post the contact details for all the councillors involved. I will be contacting my local councillor today...

Will do as soon as I have them. Ill get them up here asap.

spaceHopper

kodute wrote: »

Please post the contact details for all the councillors involved. I will be contacting my local councillor today...

Here you go
http://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/contact-the-council/councillors/

kodute

Done, and have a few people chasing them. Get family and friends on the phones. The only way they'll listen is with sheer numbers telling them what way to vote.

spaceHopper

kodute wrote: »

Done, and have a few people chasing them. Get family and friends on the phones. The only way they'll listen is with sheer numbers telling them what way to vote.

If you download JSMS and set up a group text you can text them all at once using web mail for free (uses some of your 200 messages a month)

rodento

Sorry was really busy today and didn't have time to look at this

The only people who should be contacting councillors are local people. The time for submissions is passed, this is in the hands of councillors. Any mass phoning/texting campaign could be counterproductive. You really don't want to piss off the people voting on this

CRenegade

Sort of disagree with you on this one rodent.

Yes defo no harrsaament of the councillors but logical phone calls can help. if they think its only a small few concerned then they will plough ahead.

The data given to them by the planning section is totally inaccurate and does not illustrate the concerns of surfers. if these are not highlighted the councillors will be voting on the false info in front of them.

rodento

Crenegrade no matter how right you think you are, these people are going to be making a decision based on the information set out in front of them. They will be making the decision on weather or not the proposed harbour will be good for the local economy.

A mass phoning/texting campaign will only annoy the people empoyed to make the decision, especially if they think you are interfering in local issues and the decision could effect local jobs.

It also doesn't help when people level accusations of corruption, or question the ability of the local officals in the council

CRenegade

rodento wrote: »

Crenegrade no matter how right you think you are, these people are going to be making a decision based on the information set out in front of them. They will be making the decision on weather or not the proposed harbour will be good for the local economy.

A mass phoning/texting campaign will only annoy the people empoyed to make the decision, especially if they think you are interfering in local issues and the decision could effect local jobs.

It also doesn't help when people level accusations of corruption, or question the ability of the local officals in the council

PM sent.

CRenegade

Opinion changed: Please Limit the phone calls.

rodento

Thanks, pm sent in response

Problem with surfers talking about waves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJdF8DJ70Dc

kodute

rodento wrote: »

A mass phoning/texting campaign will only annoy the people empoyed to make the decision, especially if they think you are interfering in local issues and the decision could effect local jobs.

I agree that this may annoy them, but the smart ones will see this is gaining international attention and a wise move would be to comply with the peoples wishes.

I have contacted mine but only my local councillor. No other councillors were harmed in the making of this post.

CRenegade

Clare coco voting on the pier today at 16:00 in Ennis county council offices. Gallery open to public. Get along if in the area and show your support for stopping the damaging of the waves!

Mickeroo

No word on the result yet then?

CRenegade

Mickeroo wrote: »

No word on the result yet then?

I didnt want to post up inaccurate info but this is what I know at the moment:

Not too sure what exactly happened at the Doolin Pier vote, what we think at the moment is that a revised pier 75 metres from the existing pier will be proposed again with new wave modelling. Not too sure at all but will let ye know when its more clear.


I wasnt at the meeting but was chatting to one of the crab committee at it. It was a bit confusing at the end of the meeting and its not too clear exactly what was voted on.


So the above is subject to change but all I know at the mo. When I know more ill post it up.

kodute

Cheers CRenegade, doing a great job!

CRenegade

Ok Ive got this from another within the Save Crab Committee:

"With regards to the Proposed new pier development in doolin, The motion was passed for the council to re-apply for planning for the pier development. This was probably the best outcome for all those involved in the "Save the Waves" campaign. The council will now have to go through the whole planning process again."

Will continue to update when I have more.

CRenegade

Ok guys I've looked into this a bit more. I've written up my take on the situation as I see it here.

Hopefully I'll have more accurate info in the coming days as Im not too happy with the lack of info and the conflicting info going around.

rodento

Well done to all those involved, the irish surfing community owe you a huge dept of gratitude

Jomob

Well done to all involved so far :cool:

spaceHopper

It shows what you can do more should get involved

PeakOutput

i think a counter proposal from the surfers lobby would go a long, if there was a surfer who had any sort of knowledge in this area or if the surfing association could fund raise to pay for a concept of how a pier could be constructed without affecting the wave could be a massive bonus and help the surfers image a bit

fair play to all those involved so far

rodento

CRenegade a good track to go down is for someone to study what happened with the pier on Inish Meinn. Spent loads on it but was'nt that suitable or safe, it had to be re built elsewhere, as ferries had difficulty using it in rough seas

Study may be of use next time round...

timthesurfer

The Examiner had a good piece on it the other day, and westcoastsurfer had a few bits on it. Its been rejected defo, new pier plan submitted now

CRenegade

timthesurfer wrote: »

The Examiner had a good piece on it the other day, and westcoastsurfer had a few bits on it. Its been rejected defo, new pier plan submitted now

The write up on Westcoastsurfer is pretty much a re-write of the article on the Examiner!

PeakOutput wrote: »

i think a counter proposal from the surfers lobby would go a long, if there was a surfer who had any sort of knowledge in this area or if the surfing association could fund raise to pay for a concept of how a pier could be constructed without affecting the wave could be a massive bonus and help the surfers image a bit

fair play to all those involved so far

This would be ideal however the funds just don’t seem to be there for such work, sure John Coady had to fund (with help of friends) his trip to Peru few months back.

Everyone working on this is doing it on their own time but if any of ye know of any expert/professionals in this area that would be willing to help out then please follow them up on this. Any ecologists, engineers, marine hydrologists, etc.

rodento wrote: »

CRenegade a good track to go down is for someone to study what happened with the pier on Inish Meinn. Spent loads on it but was'nt that suitable or safe, it had to be re built elsewhere, as ferries had difficulty using it in rough seas

Study may be of use next time round...

Cheers Rodento, Ill try dig some info up on this. If ya have any more info yourself can ya PM me.

CRenegade

Hey,

An advertisement was in the Clare Champion for the new planning application. Submissions to be made before end of February.

There has been no consultation from the Council with the surfers on the design!

Anyways not much can be done at the mo with the Holidays.

Ill try update in the new year,

Happy xmas to all.

CRenegade

The new pier application is available to view on the Clare Co. Co. website at: http://www.clarecoco.ie/planning/planning-applications/search-planning-applications/FileRefDetails.aspx?file_number=108010&LASiteID=0

To view the files click the 'View Scanned Files; button on that page. Files can only be viewed using Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Submissions can be made in respect of the proposed pier up to the 28th February. There is no fee for a submission and anyone can make one.

I'll try give an update in the coming days with a brief outline of the concerns for Crab Island and Doolin Point.

At first glance it appears the limited wave modelling carried out concluded there will be a 'slight' impact on waves and currents. However it seems that they did not have data for the area around Crab Island where waves are surfed and the conclusions cannot be seen as totally accurate.

Any questions just leave a reply.

rodento

That links abit dodge

spaceHopper

I printed all the files to pdf and upladed them onto the net as a zip file, be warned it's 21 meg
http://www.box.net/shared/k9atnxzamf

OldGuysRule

Cheers for that

CRenegade

The new application for the pier was submitted before christmas. See the links above for more details.

We now need every surfer to help fight for this by sending in their own submission to Clare Co. Co. - only costs a postage stamp!

Submissions outlining your concerns can be made (no fee required) on this new application until the last day in February to:

Planning Department,
Clare County Council
New Road,
Ennis
Co Clare

Quote in your heading: Proposed Pier Development at Doolin, Co. Clare Planning Reference 108010.

The report in the revised application from the County Council, together with its modelling plots, confirm that there will be an impact on the waves along with the currents. The proposed design WILL affect the waves in the area, and also make it substantially more dangerous for surfers accessing the water and waves due to increased currents, building on top of the paddle out slab and/ or forcing interaction / crossing of paths of paddling surfers and the ferries.

There was no consultation with surfers before the lodging of this new application.

Ive a small bit more info on my own site and will try update ye when I can - very busy with this and other stuff at the mo. BUT can all make sure they make a submission with the council before 28th Feb.

Cheers,
CRenegade.

spaceHopper

CRenegade wrote: »

The report in the revised application from the County Council, together with its modelling plots, confirm that there will be an impact on the waves along with the currents. The proposed design WILL affect the waves in the area, and also make it substantially more dangerous for surfers accessing the water and waves due to increased currents, building on top of the paddle out slab and/ or forcing interaction / crossing of paths of paddling surfers and the ferries.

I've tried to read the report but it had no coulcusion and their drawing / plots didn't make much sense, just dumped results no explination. Is there a new one.

CRenegade

latest two press items:

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/politics/surfers-oppose-revised-6m-doolin-pier-plan-143718.html

http://irishexaminer.com/ireland/doolin-pier-plan-crucial-to-tourism-144396.html

The reporter doesn't seem to do full research and only quotes pieces from documents... Journalism???!

kodute

CRenegade wrote: »

latest two press items:

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/politics/surfers-oppose-revised-6m-doolin-pier-plan-143718.html

http://irishexaminer.com/ireland/doolin-pier-plan-crucial-to-tourism-144396.html

The reporter doesn't seem to do full research and only quotes pieces from documents... Journalism???!

Print journalism is long dead in this country, from the innane rantings of Alison O'Riordan to the real life trolling of Kevin Myers, journalists are puppets for advertisers these days.

The only way to get people moving on this is through social media/online petitions/high profile names (Mick Fanning) getting involved again.

CRenegade

Every surfer please help fight for this by sending in your own submission to Clare Co. Co. - only costs a postage stamp!

Submissions outlining your concerns can be made (no fee required) on this new application until the last day in February to:

Planning Department,
Clare County Council,
Aras Contae an Chlair,
New Road,
Ennis,
Co Clare.

Quote in your heading: Proposed Pier Development at Doolin, Co. Clare Planning Reference 108010.

The report in the revised application from the County Council, together with its modelling plots, confirm that there will be an impact on the waves along with the currents. The proposed design WILL affect the waves in the area, and also make it substantially more dangerous for surfers accessing the water and waves due to increased currents, building on top of the paddle out slab and/ or forcing interaction / crossing of paths of paddling surfers and the ferries.

There was no consultation with surfers before the lodging of this new application.

Submissions have to be in By 4pm on 28th February 2011.

This is the 'last Chance Saloon'.

We will not be getting people to email and phone councillors before the vote as happened last time Because: we met with some of the councillors last week and they were not happy with this and wanted a coordinated approach from the surfing community.

We hope to meet with the councillors again.

We WCSC/ISA are lodging a comprehensive submission this week.

kodute

Good post Crenegade,

Just to simplify for the lazy take one (or more) numbered topic from below and write a few sentences around it then post it to the address above quoting that planning ref.


1. Council has no addressed surfers concerns

2. Health and Safety
• Access and entry to surf zones
• Changing currents
• Paddling alongside ferries

3. Impact on waves
• Wave modelling
• Different heights of waves
• Reports too general
• Not sensitive enough to changing heights of waves

4. Pier Review
• Independent review of modelling


Go on, it'll take 5 mins!

CRenegade

Latest News Article: http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/failte-ireland-opposes-pier-plan-147670.html

runman

Doolin tourism group want this to go ahead..Theyre not concerned about the revenue generated from surfing, suppose its smaller than what will be created by truck loads of tourists passing through..

CRenegade

runman wrote: »

Doolin tourism group want this to go ahead..Theyre not concerned about the revenue generated from surfing, suppose its smaller than what will be created by truck loads of tourists passing through..

Doolin Tourism is operated by a person who owns a B&B specifically targeted at tourists visiting for the Doolin and aran islands experience i.e. americans. Her B&B website has a list of activities in the area including walking, horse riding, ferries to Aran islands etc. but not a mention of surfing.

The doolin tourism website is the same http://www.doolin-tourism.com/activities.html

Her and her friends income does not come from surfing or surf tourists and the construction of a new kick ass pier will increase her 'Type' of tourist to the area and more money in the back pocket.

Doolin tourism does not even recognise surfing as an activity in the area :rolleyes: Slightly biased if you ask me. Failte Ireland is not biased and their submission is impartial and accurate and should be given serious consideration.

While the pier may bring more of that type of visitor to the area it should not be at the expense of another activity and another stream of tourism. I prepared a surf economic report and found that surfing was worth approx. €33 million to the Lahinch area (Doolin, lahinch, doonbeg, etc.) in one year from irish surfers alone!

This prob sounds like im attacking you runman - im not but your post just let me get some steam off!

rodento

Put you've hit the nail on the head, the pier will create a huge increase in tourism to and from the islands, much more tourism of Doolin. Unfortunately doolin does not have the infrastructure to cater for this demand:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

They even plan to close a massive car park at the harbour

spaceHopper

runman wrote: »

Doolin tourism group want this to go ahead..Theyre not concerned about the revenue generated from surfing, suppose its smaller than what will be created by truck loads of tourists passing through..

Do you keep your word? I always try to. Clare CC said it would do a proper wave model, it hasn't, it's a white wash. If they are allowed to get way with it then what next?

They are advocating that 6 million euros of your's and my money gets spend on a pier so that they can make somemore money? Not a living but more money, and that's what this is all about. So what if they trash a world class wave in the process.

rodento

Bit of revenge me thinks:eek:

The Doolin Coast Guard Unit has urged Clare County Council to continue its €6 million development plan for Doolin Point.

The pier plan has faced opposition from surfers who argue that the development will ruin the popular waves in the area.

The Irish Examiner reports that in the latest submission to the council, the Doolin Coast Guard Unit supports the development, claiming the current pier is "regularly over-congested" in peak tourist periods.

"This, in turn, can make it very difficult for our members to launch our boats in an efficient manner where time is of the essence," states the unit's officer in charge Mattie Shannon.

A separate submission by Doolin Tourism and Doolin Community Harbour Co-op, backed by 150 signatures from locals, called on Clare County Council to go ahead with the plan.

They dismissed surfers' concerns, stating that "the proposed pier and breakwater will not create a back wash effect" on the surfing waves at Crab Island and other areas.

hollysf

Where is this funding coming from for the new pier, eu?

CRenegade

hollysf wrote: »

Where is this funding coming from for the new pier, eu?

A lot of it is yea