Flood defence ruling: Action required

Cork City Council will have to prepare a new environmental screening of its contentious Morrison’s Island public realm and flood defence project and embark on a completely new planning process after an unexpected ruling by the European Court of Justice.

Under the original €6m proposal, the quay walls were to be raised to combat flooding and work was due to begin on this shortly.

It could now take another six months before a planning decision is made.

Tidal barrier campaigners Save Cork City — a group including architects, business owners, artists, and archaeologists which mounted a High Court challenge against the plan — welcomed news of the ruling.

It has secured a judicial review with the aim of quashing Cork City Council’s decision in May to approve the works at Morrison’s Island.

However, considering the devastation experienced in 2009, if Cork is not properly protected when the next major flood occurs, there may be little left of the city to save.