There’s a further twist in the saga over the disputed right of way at Doonbeg Golf Club.
An Bord Pleanala has rejected a decision by Clare County Council to allow the club to retain an 8ft wall built across the Greg Norman designed course.
However as further legal proceedings are pending regarding the extinguishment of the right of way, the local authority is seeking legal advice on the matter.
Earlier this year Clare County Council voted to extinguish a right of way from Caherfeenick road and subsequently granted Doonbeg Golf Club permission to retain an eight foot wall, initially built illegally on a disputed right of way at the West Clare course.
However this was appealed to An Bord Pleanala along with the decision to allow the club to retain a gravel pathway up through the 4th and 14th fairways.
In its ruling out this week – the planning boards returned a split decision – upholding permission surrounding the gravel footpath but ruling against Clare County Council regarding the 8ft wall.
It found that the decision breaches the West Clare Area plan which protects rights of way in the area which An Bord Pleanala found reasonable.
The planning body also found that there was uncertainly surrounding the issue -given that judicial proceedings over the right of way are pending and that the decision by the local authority was contrary to proper planning.
Despite the ruling its unclear at this stage whether Doonbeg Golf Club will be forced to pull down the wall as speaking to Clare FM -Clare County Council says its seeking legal clarification on the matter.
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