The controversy over the plan for an airstrip in Northwest Connemara continues,
with a two-day An Bord Pleanala oral hearing having taken place in October to
decide whether or not the development should go ahead.
Galway County Council has already granted planning permission to build an airstrip
on a 35-acre site at Cloon, about six miles north from Clifden and one and a
half miles from Cleggan. The proposed airstrip would be similar to that already
in use by Aer Arann on their flights between Inverin and the Aran islands, 570
metres in length and suitable for small aircraft carrying up to eight passengers.
Those who have been behind the Airstrip project for several years were confident
that they had finally made a breakthrough in the long-running saga, which has
seen 14 sites shift from Ardagh to Roundstone Bog to Derrygimlagh - close to
Alcock & Brown's original landing place - and now north to Cloon. A feasibility
study was carried out by Údarás na Gaeltachta on behalf of the
Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, which concluded 'this
is the only area suitable for an airstrip within this region.' But, while the
site is not a Special Area of Conservation nor a National Heritage Area, the
decision has been labelled both an 'environmental disaster' and 'a waste of
taxpayers' money' by Michael Harding, who has appealed to An Bord Pleanala on
environmental, amenity and pollution grounds.
The hearing was also told by two environmental groups, The Irish Peatland Conservation
Council and Bird Watch Ireland, that the Government should protect the landscape
of the bog, instead of allowing the building of an airstrip. Highlighting the
fact that Dúchas had only received a copy of the Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) minutes before the start of the hearing, Mr. Patrick Crushell of The Irish
Peatland Conservation Council said that he could not believe the EIS was carried
out over just one day. Also during the hearing, Derrick Hambleton of An Taisce
concluded that there was not an essential need for an airstrip at Cloon, and
that the disadvantages far outweighed the advantages.
The current Galway County Council County Development Plan includes the provision
of an airstrip as one of its objectives, and the airstrip is also included in
the Regeneration Strategy for Clifden that was published by the town's Chamber
of Commerce in 1995. Putting forward their case for the airstrip, the airport
company stressed the importance of the development in terms of improving the
area's infrastructure and generating stronger links with the islands of Inishbofin,
Inishturk, and Clare Island, particularly in the winter.
Those against fear irreversible damage being caused to the area's wildlife,
and wonder if the development would open the door for further planning and building.
Such luminaries as David Bellamy have weighed in to join the debate, writing
to The Irish Times to express his support for those opposed to the airstrip.
Describing the area as 'one of the great jewels in the crown of the landscape
of western Ireland' Professor Bellamy goes on to take the opportunity to suggest
that the County Council remind themselves of the biological, archaeological
and spiritual values of the lands and landscapes within their care.'
The debate has previously spiralled off into discussions weighing up the thin
end of the wedge, the pros and cons of Flying Clubs, the importance of bog cotton,
the decline of Clifden's population, the sensitivity of the landscape and the
actual need for an airstrip at all. Those in favour point to the potential positive
impact on employment in the region, while those against suggest the money should
be spent developing other facilities. As the debate once again comes to the
boil, time continues to march on, but a final decision is expected from An Bord
Pleanala before the end of the year.
Declan Weir