Onshore gas terminal gets green light from planners

A CONTROVERSIAL onshore gas terminal in Co Mayo was given the go-ahead yesterday.

Bord Pleanála approved the development of the €200 million terminal, nine kilometres from the coast.

The decision paves the way for the €800m Corrib gas field project to proceed.

The Shell company, a major stakeholder in the project, last night welcomed the breakthrough.

Residents supported by environmental organisations had, however, opposed the onshore developments.

The dispute dates back to October 1996 when Enterprise Oil, now owned by Royal Dutch Shell, confirmed that the field had been discovered 70 km off the Mayo coast.

The planning permission covers two sites, the terminal at Bellagelly South and a peat deposit site 11km away in Srahmore and Attavally.

The company plans to transfer 450,000 cubic metres of peat from Bellanaboy to Srahmore to overcome concerns raised last April.

Despite local concerns, Bord Pleanála ruled the transportation of peat could be done safely.

The conditions for planning permission include a limit of 800 heavy traffic movements per day along the primary haul route.

The planning authority ruled the proposed development would not be unduly injurious the area, would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety, would not be prejudicial to public health and safety and would be in accordance with sustainable development in the area.

Objectors had warned of health and safety implications. The route of the onshore pipeline is close to landslides which devastated the north Mayo last year.