Anti-incinerator group going to High Court
Wednesday, 10 March 2004 10:53A group in Cork opposed to the development of the country's first commercial toxic waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy has lodged papers in the High Court seeking to quash the planning permission granted for the project.
The action is also being taken by 11 residents of Cork Harbour who claim their constitutional rights have been breached and that the planning permission for the project contravenes EU law.
An Bord Pleanála's decision in January giving the go-ahead for the ¤70 million incinerator was a controversial ruling which infuriated opponents of the project.
They were particularly incensed when they discovered that the full board of An Bord Pleanála had gone against the recommendation of the board's own senior planning inspector, Philip Jones, who advised that permission should be refused.
In an unprecedented move, Mr Jones cited 14 grounds why permission should not be granted but he was over-ruled on the basis that the incinerator was in line with Government policy for self-sufficiency in waste management.
Ringsakiddy and District Residents' Association and the 11 residents of Cork Harbour will point to An Bord Pleanála's refusal to consider the public health implications of the project, and will argue that the board's decision contravened the constitution and EU law.
An initial hearing of the court action has been scheduled for 19 April.
