Clare County Council says planned improvements to car parking in the Seafield area of Quilty ‘can not be completed at this time’.
The pier attracted large crowds during warm weather periods last summer, with people parking on both sides of the road leading to significant accessibility issues.
Funding had been secured to create a co-ordinated car park, but it’s understood this grant has now been withdrawn after not all landowners in the area were able to reach an agreement with the local authority.
Chair of the Seafield Tidy Towns group, Michael Neenan, says the development is a blow to the local community.
Statement from Clare County Council
Clare County Council with the support of the local community and businesses secured funding for a number of projects in Quilty and Seafield under numerous funding schemes recently.
This included Town and Village Renewal Funding in 2019/2020. The works involved included the following:
– The provision of safe pedestrian access steps to and from Quilty Beach in the village to ensure safe entry and exit adjacent to the N67.
– Formalising the car parking area at Seafield Beach and Pier. Seafield Beach was awarded the Green Coast Award 2019 and is an increasingly popular area to visit.
– The provision of a public water tap at Seafield Pier, as well as a metered electricity port for local fishermen.
Additional funding was secured under the Climate Change Adaptation Works Fund in 2020.
Significant drainage works in Seafield to prevent flooding of land and properties in the general area.
Further works were secured under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Development Programme 2021.
Works included the underpinning of the pier, pointing the pier wall, upgrading of lighting and installation of a crane.
The intention of the works was to remedy evident infrastructural deficits in the area, and to assist in the development of the local fishing pier at Seafield. The long-term goal is sustainable year-round employment and economic activity through the increased retention of the local fishing community working in their local area.
All of the above works have been completed except for the improvements to the car parking area. This area is in Commonage ownership. While every effort was made to progress this work with the support of all the landowners unfortunately not all landowners were in agreement and the works could not be completed at this time. Future improvements are planned to the public roadway in this area.”
