Cork County Council and HSA investigate Grenagh site due to asbestos concerns

Concern over the weekend led to the cancellation of GAA games in the neighbouring pitch on Sunday, while the local playground was also empty

Cork City and County Council offices at The Lee Fields in Cork. It is understood that Cork County Council and the HSA will draw up a report on work carried out detailing whether there were any planning or environmental breaches. Picture: Larry Cummins

Cork County Council has confirmed it has spoken to a landowner after a piggery in Cork was demolished at the weekend without planning permission.

Officials from Cork County Council’s environment and planning sections, as well as from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), visited the site in Grenagh on Monday morning.

Residents raised concerns over the weekend as they had concerns that there may have been asbestos in the building.

Those concern led to the cancellation of GAA games in the neighbouring pitch on Sunday, while the local playground was also empty as residents were worried about having their children play there because of fears that airborne materials from the rubble could impact on their health.

Politicians met with Cork County Council officials yesterday morning to discuss the issues raised.

The council has now written to councillors and TDs including Fine Gael's Colm Burke telling them it was alerted to the demolition of a former piggery farm building in Grenagh with an asbestos roof on April 13.

It said it is satisfied demolition works occurred for which planning permission has not been granted. It said it is currently assessing the planning status of the demolition.

"Cork County Council can confirm the landowner was verbally advised as to Section 14 of the Waste Management Act 1996 and his obligations in relation to same; that no waste is to leave the site unless carried by an appropriately permitted person and further advised failure to comply is an offence with penalties," the council said. 

"These matters are currently under investigation.

"From a planning perspective the landowner was informed of his obligations as regards the need to comply with the limitations on exempted development and in particular Section 50 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 as regards demolition of building or buildings within the curtilage of a farmyard complex.

"Cork County Council will be formally corresponding with the landowner within 24 hours."

The HSA confirmed it is aware of the case.

Asbestos is a substance which has been linked to the development of diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. 

It is often present in buildings constructed before 2000. 

Residents of the area organised a meeting on Monday night to discuss their concerns.