An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission to Indaver Ireland for a proposed €150 million twin incinerator project in Cork harbour.
An Bord Pleanála signed off on the decision yesterday for the proposal for the Ringaskiddy site and communicated the decision to the various parties today.
Indaver Ireland had originally applied for planning permission for a 100,000 tonne hazardous waste incinerator, a 140,000 tonnes municipal waste incinerator and a transfer station.
In January 2010, Bord Pleánala refused planning for the municipal waste incinerator but said it was considering granting planning for the hazardous waste incinerator and the transfer station.
It said Indaver should make some changes to its environmental impact statement to address concerns over flooding, coastal erosion and revised emissions.
In May 2010, Indaver reduced the size of the buildings by 40 per cent while retaining the same capacity while it also made changes so water would be recycled rather than discharged.
Environmental group Chase has campaigned against the project saying the proposed site is unsuitable due to risk of flooding and erosion.
During a four-week oral hearing in May and June 2009, the group also questioned the need for the facility and expressed concern about its impact on public health in the harbour area.
In a statement Indaver said it is “disappointed but not discouraged” by the decision as the reasons given by an Bord Pleánala can be addressed.
“Our proposal aims to address the deficit of waste infrastructure in the Cork region, following today’s decision, that deficit still exists and it simply won’t go away.
“It is no longer responsible, credible or efficient to simply export or landfill our waste. If we are serious about protecting 50,000 jobs in the pharmaceutical sector, then Ireland must provide the necessary infrastructure for its own waste.
“The choice now for all of us is to decide whether we continue to ignore the obvious deficit or finally deliver solutions. Indaver remains committed to being part of the solution,” the company added.
