Fanad residents campaigning to restore access to the Great Pollaid Arch have had a major victory this week after their appeal to An Bord Pleanála was upheld.
Controversy has surrounded the land leading to the arch for two years after the entrance was blocked and signs erected to stop visitors passing through.
Local residents seeking the reinstatement of the original ‘right of public use’ of the land lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála on October 17th, 2017.
The Tirconaill Tribune reports that the planning board’s decision has been heralded by the local preservation group as a major victory and they’ve called on Donegal County Council to request the owners to remove all ‘obstacles’ or ‘works undertaken to immobilise public use’ to be removed immediately.
Kerri Coll has headed up the two-year battle by the Great Arch Action Committee against Donegal County Council’s decision that works carried out in June 2017 did not require planning permission.
She told the Tribune that their appeal has been fully vindicated by An Bord Pleanála ’s decision.
She said: “Our committee has always felt that the attitude of the Council was ridiculous and entirely heedless of the effect of this closure on the local community. The people of Fanad have suffered the loss of a much-cherished amenity, and local tourism had been hit by the exclusion of visitors from the enjoyment of the walk out to the stunning rock arch, a natural marvel much frequented since before Victorian times.
“When the heavy obstruction appeared in June 2017, the Council refused to do anything, even saying in its Section 5 Declaration that it is not development that requires planning permission.
“Everyone knew this was ridiculous and now the Bord has proved us to be right. We call on Donegal County Council to meet its legal obligation and immediately commence the procedures enforcing the removal of the huge concrete blocks and barbed wire that close off the old entrance to the pathway.”
The Great Arch Action Committee also intends to make this a front-line issue for newly elected local representatives to take up with the Council as soon as they take up office.
Ms. Coll makes it clear: “We expect their full co-operation in ensuring that this long-established path is reopened in time for the coming tourist season as well as for ourselves and our families to enjoy once more.
“The Pollett Great Arch is as old as the ocean itself and along with the Seven Arches further south on Lough Swilly is one of the precious tourism gems on the Donegal landscape.”