Incinerator decision a boost for harbour

THE recent refusal of planning permission for a toxic and municipal incinerator by An Bord Pleanala means the Cork people can now value their harbour, the biggest natural harbour in Europe and the most fortified harbour in the world. The tourist potential for our forts and Spike Island is vast.

No 87 meter-high stack with emissions of very fine toxic particles will be permitted in the middle of the inner harbour, visible from all sections of the harbour. As a result there will be no compounding of health problems in the Cobh area.

The very real prospect of the many planned jobs in research and development in the adjacent sites will not be compromised. A hazardous building will not be permitted to be built on a flooding and eroding site, giving communities reassurance about environmental risk.

It has been a long engagement for the communities affected, to bring this problem site into compliance with national and European environmental obligations. At last, we have evidence that the powers that be are taking account of people’s concerns.

Mamie Bowen

Monkstown

Co Cork