The backers of Pol an Ionain cave in north Clare, which contains reputedly the largest free-hanging stalactite in the world, yesterday secured planning permission for a visitor centre at the site.An Bord Pleanála yesterday gave the plan the go-ahead in the face of opposition from An Taisce, the Pol an Ionain Action Group and the nearby rival cave, Ailwee Cave reports today's Irish Times newspaper. Three years ago, the cave owners, John and Helen Browne, opened the cave to allow the public to view the 23ft-long stalactite after a 16-year long planning battle. However, the permission by An Bord Pleanála precluded any visitor centre and the public has been bused to the cave site through a park-and-ride system.
The Brownes, however, earlier this year, lodged plans for the visitor centre and a car-park for 30 cars after claiming that the enterprise is not viable into the future by relying on a park-and-ride system. Clare County Council gave the proposal the go-ahead. In the appeals lodged, the opponents claimed the Brownes failed to justify the development and that the proposal may affect the wellbeing and future growth of the Great Stal. However, the inspector in the case ruled that the possibility of an impact on the physical integrity of the Great Stal would not be significant, pointing out that the over-ground proposal is located 150 metres from the stalactite.
