Opposition to incinerator grows

A large majority of county councillors in Cork are seeking to formally register their opposition to an incinerator project in Ringaskiddy.

An Bord Pleanála is due to hold an oral hearing into Indaver Ireland’s plans to develop a €160m waste management amenity in Cork Harbour.

As the application is viewed as strategic infrastructure development (SID), a decision on whether to grant permission will be made by An Bord Pleanála and not Cork County Council.

However, the board requested county council management to submit a report.

At this coming Monday’s meeting, councillors will demand an opportunity to express their own views in the report, due to be completed before the oral hearing commences on April 19.

Indaver is adamant recent changes to waste management plans will support the proposed development.

However, council members of the Cobh/Glanmire municipal district have already put their views on record. Two councillors on the opposite side of the harbour recently participated in a protest march, against the project, mounted by students from the National Maritime College in Ringaskiddy.

Cobh councillors warned of health fears and the possible negative impact on tourism as the proposed incinerator “will tower” over the area.

The oral hearing, due to last several weeks, will be the third involving Indaver’s attempts since 2002 to build an incinerator.

Councillors serving the Ringaskiddy area claim the proposed site is liable to flooding, and serviced by a single road which presents a risk in the event of a serious incident.

The four TDs in Cork South Central, including Minister Simon Coveney, are publicly opposed. Organisations such as the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, PDFORRA, Cork Institute of Technology Students’ Union, An Taisce, Cobh Tourism have also sent objections to Bord Pleanála, along with sporting clubs and community groups.

A decision is due on July 12.