Planning board will not contest challenge to permission for expanded disposal capacity at Limerick refinery

An Bord Pleanála has told the High Court it is conceding in a challenge to permission granted for increased disposal capacity at Aughinish Alumina

Court action brought by Futureproof Clare over the August 2022 approval for the deposition of an additional 8m cubic metres of bauxite residue and 22,500 cubic metres of 'salt cake' at a 222-hectare site on Aughinish Island.

An Bord Pleanála has told the High Court it is conceding in a challenge to permission granted to a Russian-controlled alumina business for increased disposal capacity at its Co Limerick refinery.

The concession came in a court action brought by Futureproof Clare over the August 2022 approval for the deposition of an additional 8m cubic metres of bauxite residue and 22,500 cubic metres of “salt cake” — which is a mix of aluminium oxides, aluminium nitrides, metal and salts — at a 222-hectare site on Aughinish Island.