Objections have been filed by environment groups, surfers and residents with planned protection works in Doonbeg.
More than thirty people and bodies lodged objections ahead of last week’s deadline. Among those to do so were the Irish Surfing Association, West Coast Surf Club, Friends of the Irish Environment and the Save Doughmore Doonbeg Beach Community Group.
Proposed coastal protection works at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland would see the construction of two new protection structures at the dunes. It will also include the excavation of existing sand, the use of sheet piling backstops with soil nailing, geotextile underlay, armourstone protection to the sheet piles with sand and cobbles currently on the beach being used to form a dune profile over a distance of 609 metres approximately at the southern end of Doughmore Bay, adjacent to and west of the resort.
Works will be over a distance of 256 metres approximately at the northern end of Doughmore Bay, west of the golf course. The storage of the excavated sand on site as part of ongoing replenishment and future site management is also proposed.
Kilrush resident, Laura Hogan voiced her concern to Clare County Council prior to the deadline. “That such a simple solution could be ignored in favour of the monstrous damage they propose to do to our beach is simply impossible to understand. We are fortunate to have this spectacular beach on our doorstep and the thousands of walkers, joggers, and surfers who use this beach every year deserve to have their interests protected.”
She added “allowing a private commercial enterprise whose only priority is profit to build such a project on our public beach would be disgraceful and undemocratic”.
According to West Coast Surf Club who are based in Lahinch, Doughmore Bay “should not be a guinea pig for trialling unproven design proposals”. The club claims the planned erosion protection mean “the very thing that is being protected will be damaged”.
No complaint has been lodged by Doonbeg residents with over sixty percent of the objections coming from outside Co Clare.
Hotel management have said the coastal protection works are essential to save vital parts of the course from being destroyed by Atlantic storms.
A decision on whether the development will proceed or not is due in the next fortnight.