The West Coast Surf Club (WCSC) wish to make the following statement regarding the works proposed by Clare County Council at Doolin Pier, as described in planning application reference P10/08006
The West Coast Surf Club represents its members who are surfers and live not only in Clare, but in many other parts of Ireland.  Our members have been surfing the waves at Doolin Point, Doolin Reef and Crab Island for decades.  These waves are of an exceptional standard, known not only nationally but internationally with hundreds of surfers travelling to take them on.
The west coast of Ireland has experienced an explosion of surf related tourism over the past decade with the waves at Doolin and Crab Island being a regular part of any itinerary for a surf trip to Ireland, many to surf, but also many others just to view and witness the quality of the wave and surfers.
Clare County Council proposes to build a large pier adjacent to Doolin Point and thus threatens these waves.  A submission was made by the West Coast Surf Club to both the planning and engineering departments of Clare County Council seeking responses to specific queries regarding the impact on the waves on Tuesday 29th June 2010, to date no response or acknowledgement has been received.
The WCSC acknowledge the necessity for a pier development / pier extension and are not opposing a pier development at this time. The main concerns we have include the current location, extent and design of the proposed pier, which is contrary to that agreed in 2002, the apparent lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment, the lack of any studies of expected impact of the works on the adjacent surfing environment and health and safety concerns regarding the surfers’ access to the waves.
The WCSC have repeatedly made representatives available to meet with Clare County Council to review this matter since the initial announcement in April 2010 but this has not happened to date.
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 The West Coast of Ireland has some of the best waves in the world - They are now under threat by this development!
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