No move to change Cork city flood plan

There are no plans to change the design of a controversial public realm and flood defence scheme in Cork city which has been delayed by an EU court ruling.

Cork City Council CEO Ann Doherty made the remark in her first public commentary on the setback to the €6m Morrison’s Island scheme arising out of a declaratory judgement by the European Court of Justice on an unrelated wind farm case.

In a report to councillors, she said that while the Morrison’s Island scheme may be subject to an oral hearing as it embarks on a new planning process through Bord Pleanala, no changes to the design or scope of the scheme are required or proposed at this stage.

She said the council is fully committed to delivering the scheme and will prepare as quickly as possible the now required environmental screening reports.

Cork City Council remains fully committed to the delivery of the full Morrison’s Island project,” said Ms Doherty. “While the impact of this European court ruling will result in delay, it is anticipated that, by acting quickly, the council will minimise delays to the project delivery timeframe.

The scheme includes the first flood defences proposed under the OPW’s controversial overall €140m Cork city flood defence project — the largest scheme of its kind in the history of the state.

It was approved by the city council last May following a protracted Part 8 planning process which included public consultation.

The Save Cork City group, which is opposed to the design of the entire city flood defence project, brought judicial review proceedings against the Morrison’s Island scheme’s Part 8 process.

It emerged last week that a European court ruling on specific screening reports linked to protected habitats means a Nature Impact Statement will be required on the Morrison’s Island scheme.

The project must also be progressed using a Part 10 process through Bord Pleanála.

Ms Doherty defended the original Part 8 and insisted the scheme was in full compliance with all existing and established procedures at the time.

This new screening is not being undertaken due to a flaw or error in either the Part 8 documentation of the processes undertaken which, at the time, followed the established processes of many years.

"The decision in effect overturned established practice both in Ireland and across Europe,” she said in a report to councillors.

Fine Gael councillor John Buttimer said the council engaged in the Part 8 in good faith, and that it was subject to intense consultation before council voted on it.

“We are now losing control of the project to the Part 10 process and my fear is that we could go down to mob mentality, that whoever shouts and roars the loudest,” he said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Tim Brosnan said the setback explains why he has been repeatedly calling for Dutch experts to conduct an independent review of the entire project.

Various councillors questioned Ms Doherty on the cost implications to the Council arising out of the delay.

Ms Doherty said it is not yet clear how much the delay will cost, but she said those costs will be shared between the city and the OPW.