Permission granted for enhanced visitor experience facilities at Loop Head

Permission has been granted for the construction of enhanced visitor experience facilities at the Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point at Loop Head in west Clare.

The project will be led by Clare County Council which has secured government funding for the works to upgrade the existing facilities at the tourist attraction.

Loop Head Lighthouse is steeped in history with its origins dating back to the 1670s.The existing tower style lighthouse was constructed in 1854 and was operated and maintained by a keeper who lived within the lighthouse compound.

The lighthouse has been automated since January 1991 and is currently monitored by the Commissioner of Irish Lights.

In its application to An Bord Pleánala, the local authority says an analysis of visitor numbers to the site shows that between 77% and 80% of visitors to the headland do not enter the wider walled compound at all and walk the headland without access to any WC facilities

Many visitors, it added, have limited information about the nature of the surrounding protected landscape and the protected structures therein.

The project will include the construction of a new single-storey structure to act as a reception and café while a new car park for tourists and visitors will be constructed at a site around 1km to the east.

Interpretative signage will be installed and a way found trail will be put in place on the headland to coordinate the movement of visitors thereby reducing pressure on the landscape and habitats.

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In her report to An Bord Pleánala, planning inspector Mairead Kenny noted submissions from the local authority that Loop Head Visitor Experience has the potential to be the ‘gold standard’ for the cross sectoral approach to sustainable development in Ireland.

In its submission, Failte Ireland said it is fully supportive of the proposed development "which seeks to conserve and manage the natural and built heritage, enhance visitor experience of one of Ireland’s most iconic lighthouses and avoid significanteffects including loss of habitat and ecological disturbance."

An Taisce, in its submission, raised concerns that the enhanced facility will lead to an increase in the use of private cars by visitors. "Further development to the Signature Discovery Points including Loop Head should prioritise other forms of transport including walking, cycling, minibus and tour bus," reads the submission.

An oral hearing into the proposed development took place virtually over two days last September and in her report, which has just been published, Ms Kenny recommended that permission be granted.

"I consider that it is clear from the oral hearing submissions together with the written statements that there is strong policy support for the development of the site as envisaged. That support emanates from national and regional and local policy provisions," she wrote.

"In terms of the cultural heritage, Loop Head lighthouses is one of the 12 great lighthouses of Ireland. The lighthouse compound contains the remnants of the brazier lighthouse which is also a RMP and also the operating lighthouse from 1854,which can be visited as part of a tour. There is ongoing conservation of the built heritage at the site including recent investment in the form of conservation works at some of the protected structures within the lighthouse compound," she added.

In its application, Clare County Council indicated that efforts will be made to attract tourists at off-peak times and to limit the number of visitors accessing the compound at any one time during the peak tourist season.

"I consider that the upgrade in visitor facilities including the provision of a café and toilet facilities are appropriate having regard to the status of the site within the Wild Atlantic Way and also taking into account the cultural heritage value inherent in the buildings and structures and the implications for biodiversity and qualifying interest habitat," stated Ms Kenny.

In granting permission for the project, members of the board imposed a number of conditions.