News from down the country

national | environment | news report Tuesday October 28, 2008 21:19 by Contaminated Crow

An LNG terminal, explosives factory, incineration, power station and an airport in Counties Clare, Kerry, Meath, Roscommon and Sligo

The planning file for 2004 for the Indaver incinerator at Carranstown, Duleek, Co. Meath, consisting of 7 to 8 boxes, has not been seen since it was consulted two months ago by a local activist, Pat O’Brien, who has objected to the development, Mr. O’Brien claims the incinerator is being constructed one kilometer away from the site described in its Environmental Impact Statement and for which it was given permission. Both Meath County Council and Indaver deny the claim. Meath County Council is currently searching its archives for the missing boxes. (Source: Meath Chronicle 25/10/08, p.1)

Representatives of An Taisce and Cairde Chill an Disirt Teo (CCDT) and three individual objectors walked out of the first day of the An Bord Pleanala (ABP) oral hearing into the proposed explosives factory at Cahercon, Kildysart, Co. Clare, last week, claiming the ABP inspector had been unable to give complete details of the hearing’s scope. The legal representative of CCDT, querying whether the hearing was a review under an EU directive or an appeal under Irish planning law, said ‘I simplydon’t know how to present a case when I don’t know what the jurisdiction of the board (ABP) is. It’s going to be an absolute waste of everybody’s time’. (Source Clare Champion 24/10/08, p.1,3,8)

Opponents of Shannon LNG’s proposed LNG terminal near Tarbert, Co. Kerry have said they will continue their struggle against the proposed terminal despite withdrawing their challenge to the proposed terminal in the Commercial Court last week. Kilcolgan Residents Association spokesperson Johnny McElligott said they would seek a strategic environmental assessment while they could also object at the foreshore licence stage. (Source: Limerick Leader 25/10/08; Kerryman (sic) 22/10/08, p. 11)

Local opponents of plans to extend Sligo Airport’s runway onto Dorrins Strand have welcomed Sligo County Council’s decision that the proposal must be considered under Article 6(4) of the EU Habitats Directive. The Dorrins and Cumeen Strand Conservation Group (DCSCG) say, under this article, planning permission can only be given if no alternatives to the plan exist. DCSCG say moving the airport is such an alternative and thus planning permission should be refused. (Source: Sligo Weekender 21/10/08, p.18)

Irish Cement’s plan to burn MBM (meat and bone meal) and other alternative fuel at its plant at Platin, outside Duleek, Co. Meath has led to local activists expressing fears that the area is becoming a dumping ground for ‘heavy controversial industries that nobody wants in their back yards’. Pat O’Brien of the No Incineration Alliance described Irish Cement’s plans as ‘a second incinerator for Duleek’. (Source: Meath Chronicle 25/10/08, p.3)

Roscommon County Council has given Mountside Properties planning permission for a 100 MW gas power station at Monksland, near Athlone. Bealnamulla Residents association had raised concerns over air emissions from the proposed plant. (Source Roscommon Champion 21/10/08, p.4)