Plans for the development of the Corrib gas field off the Mayo coast received a boost today when Mayo County Council granted planning permission - for a second time - to a controversial refining terminal in the north of the county.
An earlier grant of permission was overturned by An Bord Pleanala following strong local objections. But this morning the council gave its approval to a revised plan submitted by Shell E & P Ireland.
The Corrib field - which is about two thirds the size of the Kinsale field - was discovered 80km off the Mayo coast in 1996.
In August 2001 Mayo County Council granted planning permission for an onshore terminal in the north of the county, but in April 2003 An Bord Pleanala upheld strong local objections. It said it had major reservations about the storage of 400,000 tons of excavated peat on the site.
Last December Shell submitted a new application based on a plan move the peat from the site and spread it on a disused bog 11km away. There were again objections on environmental grounds, but this morning the Council gave Shell's new plan the green light, subject to 75 conditions relating to health, safety and the protection of heritage and the environment.
Objectors, however, have a month to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala for a second time.
Shell E&P's managing director welcomed the news, saying the company was committed to getting the project underway as soon as possible, subject to the required remaining approvals. But he said it was important for the Corrib project that these processes were completed as soon as possible.
