An Bord Pleanala has given permission to build a new cable car system along with other developments in Dursey Island off the Beara peninsula in west Cork. The plan was submitted by the Cork County Council back in 2019 and An Bord Pleanála has overruled the strong recommendation of its own inspector to refuse planning permission.
Senior Planning Inspector Patricia Calleary earlier refused to give permission pointing out that, the scale of the development is excessive and as proposed, would enable a significant increase in visitor numbers, risking unsustainable impacts to the highly sensitive ecological environment.
She had also said the development would not be compatible with the environmental sensitivities and nature conservation designations of the area, particularly of Dursey Island.
The council had said that upon completing the project, the visitors to the Island would rise from 20,400 to 100,000 annually. But An Bord Pleanala has advised the council that a maximum of 5,000 visitors should be allowed per month taking inspector Calleary’s concerns into account. Bord has also proposed a Visitor Management plan.
The cable car system now used was first built in 1969 and later upgraded in 1981 and 2004. The new system to be built will be 375 metres long and after construction, the existing system will be decommissioned.
Along with a new cable car system, the Bord has given permission to build an interpretative centre, an 84 seater cafe and a 100 space car park at Ballaghboy on the Beara peninsula.
Source: Journal.ie