€225m port development hearing starts today

AN BORD Pleanála will open an oral hearing this morning about plans by the Port of Cork to build a €226 million container terminal in the lower harbour.

The hearing, which is expected to last at least three weeks, will hear evidence from up to 27 experts supporting the project, with almost 60 objectors planning to give evidence against.

The Port of Cork submitted the planning application late last year to the Strategic Infrastructure division of An Bord Pleanála for the project on 76 hectares at Oysterbank, Ringaskiddy.

It plans to develop a container terminal facility and a multi-purpose roll-on/ roll-off facility. The project would involve the reclamation of 18 hectares.

An environmental impact statement has been submitted to the planning board.

But last night, the Cork Harbour Environmental Protection Association (CHEPA) said it is prepared to fight “to save the beauty of Cork Harbour from permanent destruction”.

CHEPA chairman and Mayor of Passage West, Cllr Dominick Donnelly, said the oral hearing will decide the future direction of development in the harbour.

“Cork Harbour should be cherished and have its beauty enhanced by sensitive development, instead of becoming just a port and industrial estate, with no room for other uses, ” he said.

“They would not allow such a development to happen in, for example, Sydney Harbour, so why should we allow in Cork?”

The hearing begins this morning.

A number of submissions from third parties, will also be heard, including one from Fáilte Ireland.

The port will then begin its formal submission, which is expected to take up to four days.