The company behind plans to operate a sea plane service into East Clare are confident that environmental studies will back up their belief that they’ll do nothing to harm the natural environment in Mountshannon.
Following test flights in the East Clare area yesterday, Harbour Air Ireland are now working on further information sought by Clare County Council for their application to bring regular sea plane flights into a newly enhanced lakeside Jetty area.
Angling groups in East Clare remain opposed to the plans, expressing fears that the planes will present health and safety hazards for boats and fishermen, and may have negative impacts on wildlife in the area.
Harbour Air Director Ronan Connolly says an environmental impact report should alleviate those concerns though he doesn’t know if that will satisfy those against their plans for Mountshannon.
Many residents of Mountshannon, Whitegate and Scarriff indicated their support for the sea plane service, and few opponents turned out for the test flights.
Gerry Kenny of the Munster Sea-Tout Angling Council was present at Mountshannon Harbour but declined an inviation to take a flight, in portest at the plan.
He says fishermen will continue to oppose the development and may hold further protests.
THE PICTURE’S SHOW CLARE FM’S JOHN COOKE AND HARBOUR AIR PILOT ROBBIE GARLAND AT THE LAKESIDE JETTY IN MOUNTSHANNON HARBOUR
