An oral hearing into a proposed meat and bonemeal incinerator for Co Meath, which was due to begin next week, has been postponed by An Bord Pleanála.
No new date has been set for the hearing, which was due to start next Tuesday and last for several weeks.
College Proteins has proposed to build the incinerator at its rendering factory near the village of Nobber.
It would burn 105,000 tonnes of animal by-product ever year and generate enough electricity for 4,000 homes.
The plan is being strongly opposed by local residents on a number of grounds, including health and safety.
An Bord Pleanála has issued letters to those involved in the oral hearing this morning saying it was being postponed to allow adjoining local authorities make submissions about the incinerator.
This was one of the issues highlighted by campaigners at the preliminary hearing earlier this week in Navan.
They complained that local authorities other than Meath County Council were not given enough time to make a submission while the local authority in Armagh was not contacted at all.
Today's decision has been welcomed by the North East Against Incineration (NEAI) group.
NEAI Chairman Christy O'Reilly said he was delighted with the decision and said it would allow campaigners more time to prepare their case.
Local politicians also said they were very pleased that the oral hearing had been put back.
