Two oral hearings under way in Cork into projects worth almost €170 million will resume tomorrow.
A hearing into proposals to redevelop Páirc Uí Chaoimh by the GAA was told that the development of a centre of excellence and an all-weather pitch, at a location other than the Páirc, was not a viable option for the GAA.
Design Project Manager Seamus Kelly said the refurbishment of the Cork stadium was essential, and it would make no financial sense to replicate the required facilities at two different venues.
He also told Inspector Hugh Mannion that a failure to refurbish the grounds would lead to further reductions in capacity, and make it no longer viable as an inter-county ground.
The inspector was also told that the re-development was in keeping with the Cork City Council's South Docklands Local Area Plan, and its Cork City Development Plan.
However, Richard Cronin, one of three appellants to the planning permission granted by Cork City Council, expressed concerns about traffic congestion and about the potential for flooding in adjacent areas as well as the reduction in size of the proposed Marina Park to facilitate the GAA's expansion plans.
Earlier, the Cork County GAA Board issued a statement saying they had reached a Memorandum of Understanding with a group of local residents in the Ballintemple area dealing with their concerns and the group was withdrawing as observers at the hearing.
The hearing will resume at 10am tomorrow morning.
A separate hearing will resume into proposals by the Port of Cork for a €100 million upgrade of their facilities at Ringaskiddy.
Today, the hearing was told that a failure to provide an extension to the existing deep water berth at Ringaskiddy would impact on the Port of Cork's ability to service the needs of the bulk cargo sector and would lead to operational difficulties.
It is the second time in six years that the Port of Cork has applied to An Bord Pleanála for a major upgrade to their facilities in the lower harbour.
In 2008, their plans were turned down on the basis of poor road and transport infrastructure in the area.
The hearing also heard from Tomas Bradley of An Taisce who said the development would exacerbate the Port's dependency on oil.
He said the proposals would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
