Locals vow to take reservoir fight to Europe
The planning appeals board has held an oral hearing in Bantry into a local project being proposed by Cork County Council.
People living below the reservoir in the Mealagh Valley have mounted stiff opposition to the project.
David Bollins, who lives in the area, claimed no floods risk assessment had been performed by the council even though this dam is located just above the town of Bantry. He said people were “very concerned in light of the noted dam failures all over the world.”
He added that the council has failed to explore alternative options in their haste to develop this project.
“The development of this site will bring about the destruction of protected habitats both under Irish and European legislation,” Mr Bollins said. He confirmed that locals would go to the European Court if the decision went against them.
A spokesman for Cork County Council said they were awaiting the result of the hearing, and it would be “inappropriate to comment at this time.”
Meanwhile, at Ballard, Araglin, another group has said it is also committed to a similar European move to halt a €75 million organic digester which will be capable of bio-degrading 250,000 tonnes of waste annually.
