Rushed Pleanala Oral Hearing confirmed for 19 April to meet July decision deadline

Bord Pleanala have refused a request by CHASE for an extension to the Oral Hearing date for Indavers Ringaskiddy incinerator application and confirmed that the Oral Hearing will start on 19 April at Carrigaline Court Hotel at 10.30am, citing 12 July 2016 as deadline date under Strategic Infrastructure Process.

CHASE wrote to An Bord Pleanala following receipt of registered letters on 31 March/1st April advising of the hearing date, leaving just 12 working days preparation for the hearing. Previous hearings lasted 3 weeks.

Bord Pleanala received over 220 submissions objecting to the proposal, each of which was accompanied by a payment of 50Euro. Objections were made by all 4 TD’s for the South Central area, including Defence Minister Simon Coveney, Fine Fail Party Leader Micheal Martin, Michael McGrath (FF) and newly elected Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh O’Laoghaire.

Submissions, which highlighted site unsuitability, accident risk and hazard, health concerns and gross conflict with regeneration of surrounding area, also included objections and concerns from:

• CIT Students Union President on behalf of NMCI Student Body
  
• PD Forra representing the 800 sailors employed at Haulbowline Naval Base
  
• Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) Cork Colleges, on behalf of its NMCI members.
  
• Cork Green Party
  
• Multiple Community Associations and Residents Associations
  
• An Taisce
  
• HSE
  
• Cobh Tourism
  
• Several sports and leisure clubs including Monkstown Bay Sailing Club
  
• Several schools in surrounding areas of Ringaskiddy, Cobh and Crosshaven
  
• Numerous Doctors and Health professionals
  
• Local Farmers Groups
  
• Council Members of Cobh Municipal District
  
• Over 1,000 individuals via group submissions.
  

CHASE Chairperson, Mary O’Leary said “The Community has been given under 2 working weeks to prepare for an Oral Hearing, with the date set before the full submission process is even complete. Stark contrast has to be made with the consultation period of over 3.5 years which Indaver have had with An Bord Pleanala to prepare this third application. There is no element of fairness in this process, which is heavily weighted towards the applicant. It is, to the best of our knowledge the shortest Oral Hearing notice and the longest consultation period on record. We are being squeezed to our very core.”

Cork County Councillors are yet to add their comments to the Cork County Council Executives observations as a prescribed body. The issue is expected to be discussed by Councillors at Cork County Council meeting of 11 April, comments added and the report sent to An Bord Pleanala.

The hearing is open to the public.