Tuesday 10 February 2009

Council will urge board to block incinerator

CORK County Council is to urge An Bord Pleanála to reject Indaver’s plans to build incinerators in Ringaskiddy capable of burning 300,000 tonnes per annum of municipal and hazardous waste.

Council officials have drafted a negative report on Indaver’s proposals, which will be given to the board on February 16.

County manager Martin Riordan said there were three main reasons why his officials thought the proposals inappropriate.

Mr Riordan said the location did not fit in with the County Development Plan. He also said incineration was not compatible with the council’s waste management strategy and the 300ft high chimney stacks would have a detrimental visual impact on the lower harbour.

As Cork Harbour For A Safe Environment (CHASE) campaigners sat quietly in the council chamber yesterday, they must have been pleased with the overwhelming support they got from the 40-plus councillors present. Only one, Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe (FF), openly supported incineration.

"The waste management strategy in this county is based on reduce, reuse and recycle principles. The 300ft high stack will spoil the view and we should reject it," Cllr John A Collins (FG) said.

Cllr John Mulvihill (Lab) said the overwhelming majority of people living in the lower harbour area were totally opposed the project. "I’d appeal to Minister John Gormley to stop this ridiculous carry-on. If it goes ahead we’ll be bringing in waste from all over the world."

Cllr Seamus McGrath (FF) also felt that if Indaver got permission the company would import waste from outside the country. "It would be catastrophic if it went ahead," he said.

Councillors decided that the minutes of the meeting would also be sent to An Bord Pleanála to show how strongly they were opposed to the project.

Irish Examiner

www.buckplanning.ie

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