Objectors say Google Earth pictures show planning laws breached

Claims and counterclaims have been made over whether the Port of Cork breached planning regulations by developing part of its terminal at Ringaskiddy after it was refused permission in 2008 to expand facilities there.

During cross-examination of Port of Cork officials yesterday, Don Teegan, chairman of objectors Cork Harbour Environmental Protection Association, claimed his organisation had obtained Google Earth pictures which showed there had been development at the port’s Ringaskiddy West terminal post-2008.

Mr Teegan said a picture in the port’s 2009-2010 yearbook showed the piece of land in question hadn’t developed. However, he said in 2011, Google Earth pictures showed a 20m-high crane and gantry with a reinforced foundation had been added to the site.

“I’d like to know where planning permission exists for that container terminal. In our opinion, this is a very significant development which would have required an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) and planning permission before it went ahead.”

Consultants representing the port said the development was carried out under Harbour Works Orders and as such “was exempted development under the planning acts”.

They said it had been investigated by Cork County Council and that Bord Pleanála had said it had no jurisdiction over the matter.

However, Mr Teehan said that an application had been made in 1996 for the development under Harbour Works Orders, which had a 10-year lifespan. He added that therefore that planning permission would have lapsed in 2006.

Meanwhile, Mr Teehan said he was concerned about traffic gridlock if planning was granted for the €100m port upgrade, and “could find little solace” for people living in the area from the port’s proposed traffic management plans.

Port representatives told him some of their redevelopment phases could be done before the proposed upgrade of the Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle interchange is completed in 2020 and the N28 is upgraded in 2023. Others, they added, would have to wait until these projects were completed.

Mr Teegan said Transport Minister Leo Varadkar had more than hinted that any new roads would be tolled. He said that if this was the case with the N28, many motorists would avoid the tolls and this would create further gridlock on minor roads in the area.

He also questioned why port authorities would want to spend a huge amount of money now when the economy was virtually stagnant.

They said they expected modest economic growth in the short-term and that it was prudent to plan ahead to a time when the economy had improved.

The port has previously said it needs to expand its container berths for bigger ships which are becoming the norm. Port officials added if they couldn’t accommodate them they would divert to other ports.

This would lead to a loss of competitiveness for their business clients in Munster and further road trips which wouldn’t be good for the environment.