Taisce request delays water scheme

AN TAISCE has put the brakes on a high priority €12m water supply scheme in West Cork.

The environment body did not formally object to the proposed Bantry Regional Water Supply Scheme but has further delayed the project by seeking clarification on a planning procedural issue. The scheme is one of Cork County Council’s priority projects. The Bantry region, which relies heavily on the tourism industry, desperately needs improved water quantity and quality.

Reflecting on the many difficulties which plagued the scheme’s progress over the last 15 years, the council’s senior engineer, Paddy Leahy, said yesterday: “It’s infuriating. We are disappointed the scheme has, again, met another obstacle.”

The chairman of the council’s Western Committee, Cllr John O’Shea, said: “The scheme has been dragging on for years. It’s most unfortunate that An Taisce appears to have misinterpreted the planning regulations. In addition to the threat posed to tourism by the water quality and supply problems, the shortage also hinders industrial development in this region.”

Mr Leahy, who has responsibility for water services in West Cork, said the Bantry scheme was classed as urgent.

The Skibbereen-based official said planning for the scheme was sought under a section of the planning regulations which permitted a local authority effectively to apply to itself for planning permission. “The proposed scheme was publicly advertised and all the details and drawings were made available to the public for viewing at the council’s Bantry office. The closing date for objections was April 30 and that expired without any objections being submitted.

“On that basis, we continued to progress with the paperwork on the scheme which involves building a dam on the Little Mealagh river.

“Shortly after the closing date, An Taisce contacted the council and inquired if we had completed an environmental impact statement.

“I advised them the council conducted an environmental impact appraisal, which is a scaled-down version, as an EIS in this case was not necessary under the regulations.

“We heard no more but, about four weeks ago, the council received a letter from An Bord Pleanala informing us that An Taisce had argued the council should have prepared an EIS.

“As a result, An Bord Pleanala advised us to suspend the whole process until the matter was resolved,” said Mr Leahy. “I’m quite satisfied, and so are other senior planners in County Hall, the council did everything fully in accordance with the regulations.”

However, An Taisce’s heritage officer, Ian Lumley, insisted yesterday: “This is a procedural issue. We raised the matter of whether the council requires an EIS which is necessary under European directives. We want to make sure the right procedure is being followed.”