Glandore Harbour Yacht Club has accused Cork County Council of endangering the future of sailing in the West Cork harbour by changes it plans to make at the village pier.
"This has been drawn up without any consultation whatsoever with Glandore Harbour Yacht Club or with the sailing school. This proposal amounts in reality to a closure order on the sailing school not to mention all the kayakers, motor boaters, rowers etc. who also use the pier," says GHYC. "The proposal could result in a ban of all marine leisure activity from Glandore."
Glandore Harbour pays annually for use of the pier and the club says that its members "personally fund a pontoon for the benefit of the public and all harbour users."
"A GHYC member personally funded an engineering survey and presented it to the Council with drawings and plans to extend the current deck onto waste ground. This would have provided extra storage for all kayaks and many of the dinghies currently on the pier in summer. This cost and effort received no response."
Glandore in West Cork Photo: Bob Bateman
The club said in a statement that it fears there may be a move by the Council to close the pier completely: "The next step may be to manufacture a report to close the pier completely on safety grounds. This is completely contrary to the County Development Plan for the area."
Cork County Council announced a new 'Management Plan' for Glandore Harbour earlier in April.
"Mariners and general port users are advised that, subject to funding, Cork County Council intends to introduce new safety and pier management measures at Glandore Harbour. This will include New toe rails and handrails; Keep Clear Areas; Designated temporary storage areas for small crafts; Safety signage; CCTV cameras.
"Under the new plan, storage of small crafts will only be permitted in designated areas and access to the breakwater will have to be kept clear at all times."
Tuesday next, May 2, is the closing date for public response to the plan about which the club has protested publicly.
Submissions are to be sent to the Harbour Master’s Office, Skibbereen, P81 RC 21 or by email to [email protected].
This is the second pier in Glandore harbour area which is the subject of a row between the Council and a local community. As Afloat has reported there are local protests at Union Hall, just across from Glandore village over the decision by the Council to close the old pier there to public use.
Glandore Harbour YC says the Council should be using funding from the government for piers to improve facilities not reduce them and should work with the community, not against it, to develop marine recreational facilities.
