Bulk of objectors withdraw opposition to bypass

MOST of the objectors to the proposed N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown bypass withdrew their objections yesterday.

Just 14 of the 59 objections remained following the closure by An Bord Pleanála inspector Michael Ward of a two-day oral hearing into the project yesterday.

But An Taisce, which is among the 14, was criticised by senior counsel for Cork County Council, David Holland, for allegations it made against the local authority.

The organisation faxed a letter to the hearing at the Mallow Park Hotel claiming the council was not suitable to carry out the N8 road project because it had breached waste management acts during the Cork main drainage scheme.

Mr Holland rejected the allegations as “unsupported by facts.”

It is a matter of regret and surprise to the council that these allegations have been made, he said, given that the main drainage project was the responsibility of Cork City Council.

“It is surprising that An Taisce would make such allegations and not attend the hearing,” he said.

Yesterday’s hearing was taken up by evidence from experts called by the council to outline the impact the road project will have on the landscape.

Archaeologist Ken Hanley said of the 31 cultural sites identified along the route, 19 of which are new, none was deemed at this stage to be a national monument.

As a result, there is no need to redesign the road and it should proceed, he said.

Agriculture and business consultant William Martin said the road will have a profound effect on four farm properties, where over 25% of the land will be acquired. A further 28 farms will lose 10% of their land.

But compensation packages for land loss and severance should help landowners restructure their farming operations, he said.

Ecological expert Richard Mundy said the road would have no significant impact on flora or fauna, although there will be a slight impact on Ballinglanna Wood which is under consideration for designation as a proposed Natural Heritage Area.

Experts in acoustics, traffic, drainage and air quality also supported the road project.

Dairy farmers James Mullins from Ballybeg, in Mitchelstown, and his neighbour, James Roche, were among those to withdraw their objections yesterday.

They had claimed on Tuesday that their livelihoods would be damaged if cattle underpasses weren’t provided.

Their representative, Dick Collins, who represented 25 objectors, received verbal assurances from council and National Roads Authority (NRA) engineers that their concerns will be addressed. Objections from Michael Bowen, Thomas Moher, Martin Hanrahan, and Mitchelstown Gun Club were also withdrawn.

A decision from An Bord Pleanála on the CPOs is expected towards late March.

If given the green light, negotiations on compensation will begin immediately. It is hoped construction work could begin early next year with the road scheduled to open sometime in 2009.