Shell E&P Ireland is seeking planning amendments to its Corrib gas refinery, which is under construction in north Mayo.
An extensive application to Mayo County Council relates to "minor modifications", a spokesman for the Corrib gas partners said yesterday. These include fire safety additions, such as escape stairs at the waste water treatment plant.
A statement by the partners - Shell E&P Ireland, Statoil and Marathon - said they relate to design changes for the administration, maintenance and laboratory buildings complex, the waste water treatment building, control building, east-west access road and methanol still.
"Modifications such as these are in keeping with best design concepts to continuously seek to find the best refinement of the overall plan prior to completion of construction." Details are available through Mayo County Council and Shell's public information office in Belmullet.
Employment on constructing the refinery at Bellanaboy is approaching its peak, currently standing at about 600 people, a spokesman said. The refinery was awarded its integrated pollution prevention control licence by the Environmental Protection Agency last year. However, An Bord Pleanála has given no definitive ruling yet on whether a proposed modified onshore pipeline route is eligible to be submitted for approval under the Strategic Infrastructure Act. RPS consultants, for Shell E&P Ireland, are still working on a final modified route.
The original onshore pipeline route was not subject to planning approval, and consents were signed off by former marine minister Frank Fahey, resulting in local opposition which led to the jailing of the "Rossport Five" for 94 days in 2005.
PJ Rudden of RPS told The Irish Times yesterday that public consultation on modified routes had been completed, but environment assessments were still being carried out. Last September, RPS published a shortlist of three "corridors" for a modified route. All three routes, including the most direct corridor down Sruwaddaccon Bay, are within designated environmentally sensitive areas under the EU habitats directive.
However, RPS said it believed that approval could still be secured if it could be proven "controlled construction techniques" could "minimise environmental impact".
At that stage, the consultants predicted that a final route would be selected by the end of the year, for submission to An Bord Pleanála if the board accepted it under the new fast-tracking legislation. The three "preferred" corridors follow part of the original high-pressure pipeline route, but aim to "increase the distance between the pipeline and the nearest dwelling". Government mediator Peter Cassells had recommended modifying the original route "in the vicinity of Rossport" in his report last year.
He had noted that route ran just 70 metres from the nearest normally occupied house.
Representatives of the Erris community opposed to the onshore pipeline participated in a protest in Dublin yesterday that aimed to highlight what the Shell to Sea campaign has described as the "sweetheart" deal between the Government, Shell, Statoil and Marathon.
"The deal left Corrib gas entirely in the control of private multinationals and Ireland owning nothing. The estimated value of the gas is at least €50 billion," Shell to Sea said.
RPS said work is due to start shortly on restoring a special area of conservation at the Glengad pipeline landfall, following unauthorised work there during the route studies.
Lorna Siggins
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 17 February 2008
Wind farm plans should look to EU
ENERGY Minister Eamon Ryan has announced substantial price supports for offshore wind farm developers which he says will bring us into line with incentives in other EU countries such as Germany.
While supporting the minister's drive for alternative energy, can we hope that before he hands over huge sums of taxpayers' money, he will follow the lead of Germany and other EU countries and legislate to protect our marine environment in the face of the unprecedented industrialisation of our seas which offshore wind farms represent?
Germany and the Netherlands have banned offshore wind farms within 22km of their shores in order to protect the wildlife and scenic amenity of the coastline.
Spain and France have refused to permit any offshore wind farms prior to the introduction of new legislation designed to protect their coastline and tourist industry.
The only EU countries to, so far, build any sizeable offshore wind farms are UK and Denmark where around 700 megawatts of offshore windpower, 80pc of the world's total, has been installed.
Both countries have introduced new legislation to ensure that development is properly controlled.
In addition, those countries have carried out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of their coastlines, in accordance with the EU Directive to pick the most suitable places for offshore wind farm development, taking into account bird life, marine life, other marine users, coastal scenery, and so on.
Contrast this with the situation in Ireland.
Here, no marine planning exists. Instead developers are being allowed to pick out the most profitable locations in Irish waters for massive proposed developments
The EU SEA directive is being ignored and no independent assessment has been made of the cumulative impact of development on our economy, coastal scenery and wildlife.
No new legislation has been introduced. Instead offshore wind farm development is controlled by the Foreshore Act drawn up in 1933 before large scale industrial development at sea was envisaged.
This undemocratic legislation, designed primarily to regulate the removal of sand from the seabed, confers unlimited powers on the Minister for the Marine to award foreshore leases for construction off our coasts without the statutory involvement of local authorities and with no right of appeal.
This legislation has allowed two successive ministers, Frank Fahey and Noel Dempsey, to permit two of the biggest offshore wind farms in the world, 11 km off the scenic coast of Wicklow.
The resulting vast industrial complex, totalling 1620 megawatts (double the total amount of offshore wind power installed worldwide) will consist of 420 massive turbines each as high as a 35-storey building, dominating the entire coastline from Bray Head to Wexford.
Is the Wicklow coastline any less precious than the coastlines of Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark?
Are our birds and marine life not entitled to the same protection? Before Mr Ryan awards any EU level subsidies to offshore wind farm developers, we call on him to honour his party's pre-election commitment to reform the Foreshore Act 1933 and introduce EU levels of protection for our marine environment and coastal scenery.
HELEN GELLETLIE, VALERIE FREEMAN, ANN C FITZGERALD, COASTAL CONCERN ALLIANCE, SALLYNOGGIN, Co. Dublin
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
While supporting the minister's drive for alternative energy, can we hope that before he hands over huge sums of taxpayers' money, he will follow the lead of Germany and other EU countries and legislate to protect our marine environment in the face of the unprecedented industrialisation of our seas which offshore wind farms represent?
Germany and the Netherlands have banned offshore wind farms within 22km of their shores in order to protect the wildlife and scenic amenity of the coastline.
Spain and France have refused to permit any offshore wind farms prior to the introduction of new legislation designed to protect their coastline and tourist industry.
The only EU countries to, so far, build any sizeable offshore wind farms are UK and Denmark where around 700 megawatts of offshore windpower, 80pc of the world's total, has been installed.
Both countries have introduced new legislation to ensure that development is properly controlled.
In addition, those countries have carried out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of their coastlines, in accordance with the EU Directive to pick the most suitable places for offshore wind farm development, taking into account bird life, marine life, other marine users, coastal scenery, and so on.
Contrast this with the situation in Ireland.
Here, no marine planning exists. Instead developers are being allowed to pick out the most profitable locations in Irish waters for massive proposed developments
The EU SEA directive is being ignored and no independent assessment has been made of the cumulative impact of development on our economy, coastal scenery and wildlife.
No new legislation has been introduced. Instead offshore wind farm development is controlled by the Foreshore Act drawn up in 1933 before large scale industrial development at sea was envisaged.
This undemocratic legislation, designed primarily to regulate the removal of sand from the seabed, confers unlimited powers on the Minister for the Marine to award foreshore leases for construction off our coasts without the statutory involvement of local authorities and with no right of appeal.
This legislation has allowed two successive ministers, Frank Fahey and Noel Dempsey, to permit two of the biggest offshore wind farms in the world, 11 km off the scenic coast of Wicklow.
The resulting vast industrial complex, totalling 1620 megawatts (double the total amount of offshore wind power installed worldwide) will consist of 420 massive turbines each as high as a 35-storey building, dominating the entire coastline from Bray Head to Wexford.
Is the Wicklow coastline any less precious than the coastlines of Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark?
Are our birds and marine life not entitled to the same protection? Before Mr Ryan awards any EU level subsidies to offshore wind farm developers, we call on him to honour his party's pre-election commitment to reform the Foreshore Act 1933 and introduce EU levels of protection for our marine environment and coastal scenery.
HELEN GELLETLIE, VALERIE FREEMAN, ANN C FITZGERALD, COASTAL CONCERN ALLIANCE, SALLYNOGGIN, Co. Dublin
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Coolmore group accused of vindictive campaign
A business consortium hoping to build a €100 million waste treatment plant in south Tipperary has accused John Magnier's Coolmore group of conducting "a personalised and vindictive campaign" against its previous proposal to build an incinerator.
Martin Byrne, head of Avglade, told a Bord Pleanála hearing in Clonmel yesterday the company had withdrawn plans to build the incinerator and the Coolmore group had agreed to discontinue High Court proceedings.
Avglade had received planning permission for the incinerator from South Tipperary County Council despite objections from Coolmore, owner of the country's leading stud farm and Ballydoyle stables. Avglade had been running a rendering facility near Ballydoyle, but wanted to build the incinerator because of new EU rules on disposal of animal waste products. Mr Byrne said at a meeting in December 2002 that no money was exchanged and it was made clear (by Coolmore) that Avglade could return to the business of rendering.
The company claims it developed a new, more environmentally friendly proposal for a "bio-energy plant", which is now also being opposed by Coolmore.
Avglade is involved in a joint venture with Bioverda and Dawn Meats called Green Organics Energy Ltd to build the plant.
There were sharp exchanges at the hearing between top trainer Aidan O'Brien and Rory Brady, the former attorney general, for Green Organics Energy. Mr O'Brien said "for us [ at Ballydoyle] this is a life or death situation" and if the new plant was built, "we're out of business". He said "the racehorse is the most sensitive creature in the world" and "any facility of this size is not compatible with our operations".
He repeatedly told Mr Brady he didn't understand the issues because "you don't train horses".
Mr Brady claimed that even if there were "no vapours and no smells and no discharges" from the proposed facility, Mr O'Brien would still be opposed to it.
Michael Parsons
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Martin Byrne, head of Avglade, told a Bord Pleanála hearing in Clonmel yesterday the company had withdrawn plans to build the incinerator and the Coolmore group had agreed to discontinue High Court proceedings.
Avglade had received planning permission for the incinerator from South Tipperary County Council despite objections from Coolmore, owner of the country's leading stud farm and Ballydoyle stables. Avglade had been running a rendering facility near Ballydoyle, but wanted to build the incinerator because of new EU rules on disposal of animal waste products. Mr Byrne said at a meeting in December 2002 that no money was exchanged and it was made clear (by Coolmore) that Avglade could return to the business of rendering.
The company claims it developed a new, more environmentally friendly proposal for a "bio-energy plant", which is now also being opposed by Coolmore.
Avglade is involved in a joint venture with Bioverda and Dawn Meats called Green Organics Energy Ltd to build the plant.
There were sharp exchanges at the hearing between top trainer Aidan O'Brien and Rory Brady, the former attorney general, for Green Organics Energy. Mr O'Brien said "for us [ at Ballydoyle] this is a life or death situation" and if the new plant was built, "we're out of business". He said "the racehorse is the most sensitive creature in the world" and "any facility of this size is not compatible with our operations".
He repeatedly told Mr Brady he didn't understand the issues because "you don't train horses".
Mr Brady claimed that even if there were "no vapours and no smells and no discharges" from the proposed facility, Mr O'Brien would still be opposed to it.
Michael Parsons
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Taxpayer to foot €83m bill over 'cock-up'
THE Department of the Environment has acknowledged that no one was fired or sanctioned after a "monumental cock-up" of a simple sewage scheme in Limerick left taxpayers with an €83 million bill.
Department secretary general Geraldine Tallon yesterday confirmed to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that "no heads had rolled" after Uniform Construction Ltd was wrongfully fired from the €9.5m sewerage scheme.
The final bill to the taxpayer is expected to be in excess of €83m after years of legal wrangling and the employment of another company to finish the job.
Ms Tallon also admitted the department ignored the advice of the Attorney General when it advised Limerick City Council to fight the case in the High Court, despite having been told during an arbitration hearing that the contract was wrongfully terminated.
The original €9.5m contract for the 2.6km of sewer work was awarded to Uniform Construction in 1999 but the company told the city council soon after that it had come across "unforeseen ground conditions" while tunnelling.
But the council decided the company was to blame for significant problems with the work, such as roads collapsing. Its contract was terminated in 2001.
The company and council fought the case out at conciliation and arbitration hearings, where it was ruled the contract was wrongfully terminated.
However, Limerick City Council refused to pay the company the costs and damages it demanded.
Furthermore, the decision to stand its ground was backed by the department which supported an appeal to the High Court despite advice against doing so by the Attorney General.
Arbitrators ultimately decided to award the company €32m. With legal costs as well as a further €27m for a different company to do the sewer work, the final bill is set to cost the taxpayer €83m.
Comptroller and Auditor General John Purcell told the PAC yesterday that cases of terminating similar contracts were "very rare".
His report also noted that former Environment Minister Noel Dempsey had been first informed of the debacle as early as September 2001.
But stunned committee members queried how the simple sewerage job had cost so much. TD Niall Collins asked: "Has anyone been held responsible for this monumental cock-up? The figures are exorbitant."
Ms Tallon replied: "There's no escaping the disappointment the high cost the exchequer has had to pay for this."
When pressed, she also admitted: "No, heads haven't rolled."
Solicitors McCann FitzGerald advised Limerick City Council on the company's termination and an independent review of the decisions taken is under way, said the department chief.
Fine Gael TD Jim O'Keefe asked why alarm bells had not sounded when the case first came before the department's attention.
The PAC's chairman, Bernard Allen, said members intended investigating all reports on the decisions that had been taken by the council and department.
Juno McEnroe
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Department secretary general Geraldine Tallon yesterday confirmed to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that "no heads had rolled" after Uniform Construction Ltd was wrongfully fired from the €9.5m sewerage scheme.
The final bill to the taxpayer is expected to be in excess of €83m after years of legal wrangling and the employment of another company to finish the job.
Ms Tallon also admitted the department ignored the advice of the Attorney General when it advised Limerick City Council to fight the case in the High Court, despite having been told during an arbitration hearing that the contract was wrongfully terminated.
The original €9.5m contract for the 2.6km of sewer work was awarded to Uniform Construction in 1999 but the company told the city council soon after that it had come across "unforeseen ground conditions" while tunnelling.
But the council decided the company was to blame for significant problems with the work, such as roads collapsing. Its contract was terminated in 2001.
The company and council fought the case out at conciliation and arbitration hearings, where it was ruled the contract was wrongfully terminated.
However, Limerick City Council refused to pay the company the costs and damages it demanded.
Furthermore, the decision to stand its ground was backed by the department which supported an appeal to the High Court despite advice against doing so by the Attorney General.
Arbitrators ultimately decided to award the company €32m. With legal costs as well as a further €27m for a different company to do the sewer work, the final bill is set to cost the taxpayer €83m.
Comptroller and Auditor General John Purcell told the PAC yesterday that cases of terminating similar contracts were "very rare".
His report also noted that former Environment Minister Noel Dempsey had been first informed of the debacle as early as September 2001.
But stunned committee members queried how the simple sewerage job had cost so much. TD Niall Collins asked: "Has anyone been held responsible for this monumental cock-up? The figures are exorbitant."
Ms Tallon replied: "There's no escaping the disappointment the high cost the exchequer has had to pay for this."
When pressed, she also admitted: "No, heads haven't rolled."
Solicitors McCann FitzGerald advised Limerick City Council on the company's termination and an independent review of the decisions taken is under way, said the department chief.
Fine Gael TD Jim O'Keefe asked why alarm bells had not sounded when the case first came before the department's attention.
The PAC's chairman, Bernard Allen, said members intended investigating all reports on the decisions that had been taken by the council and department.
Juno McEnroe
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 14 February 2008
Dublin unveils plan to protect biodiversity
A major strategy to protect animal, plant and insect species - and the areas where they are found - in the capital has been drawn up by Dublin City Council.
It hopes the Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan 2008-2012 will give citizens a greater appreciation of, and respect for, the city's flora and fauna.
The five-year initiative to enhance the natural environment is the first produced for an Irish city and is being co-ordinated by the council's full-time biodiversity officer Mairead Stack.
The action plan was launched last night by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Paddy Bourke, who said "over a million people enjoy biodiversity in Dublin every day, simply by spending time in their own gardens, walking in their local park, woodland or along the seafront and watching wildfowl swimming in the local pond".
The project has involved extensive consultation among the council's planning, parks, engineering, drainage and architecture departments and provides for conservation and educational measures to "ensure the survival of the natural world" in the city following extensive building development in recent years.
Habitats and species, such as wetlands, semi-natural grasslands, urban trees, hedgerows, endangered plants, red squirrels, otters, bats, birds, butterflies, salmon/trout species, water beetles, dragon flies, moths and bees, will be given special status by the council when it comes to assessing the risk to them from future planning developments.
According to the council, thousands of foxes live in the city, with an average density of one family per sq km, although some areas have four to five times this density. The policy also outlines the need for an integrated management plan for Dublin Bay to take heed of its international ecological status, habitats and bird life.
The plan also aims to identify and protect biodiversity hotspots and create a series of wildlife "corridors", with additional shrubs and trees, throughout the city to allow animals move freely around the built-up environment.
Council officials want communities to take a more active part in enhancing their environment by being involved in the likes of a "NeighbourWood" scheme - where residents' associations take care of local wildlife spaces. The council is calling on businesses to help fund projects that will benefit the natural world.
Production of the plan has been funded by the Heritage Council and the council, but costs have not been disclosed.
A 2004 survey of 63 graveyards in the capital showed 26 species of birds, 15 different habitats, and 15 different species of mammals were present, including rodents, foxes, badgers and bats.
The initiative also provides for a tree survey and the development of a tree strategy for the city; the identification and protection of creature resting places; and best practice management of sand and mud flat areas along south and north Dublin Bay.
Other proposals include a programme to manage invasive species such as grey squirrels, a wildlife-friendly garden for public education, a biodiversity educational centre and wildlife gardens in schools.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
It hopes the Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan 2008-2012 will give citizens a greater appreciation of, and respect for, the city's flora and fauna.
The five-year initiative to enhance the natural environment is the first produced for an Irish city and is being co-ordinated by the council's full-time biodiversity officer Mairead Stack.
The action plan was launched last night by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Paddy Bourke, who said "over a million people enjoy biodiversity in Dublin every day, simply by spending time in their own gardens, walking in their local park, woodland or along the seafront and watching wildfowl swimming in the local pond".
The project has involved extensive consultation among the council's planning, parks, engineering, drainage and architecture departments and provides for conservation and educational measures to "ensure the survival of the natural world" in the city following extensive building development in recent years.
Habitats and species, such as wetlands, semi-natural grasslands, urban trees, hedgerows, endangered plants, red squirrels, otters, bats, birds, butterflies, salmon/trout species, water beetles, dragon flies, moths and bees, will be given special status by the council when it comes to assessing the risk to them from future planning developments.
According to the council, thousands of foxes live in the city, with an average density of one family per sq km, although some areas have four to five times this density. The policy also outlines the need for an integrated management plan for Dublin Bay to take heed of its international ecological status, habitats and bird life.
The plan also aims to identify and protect biodiversity hotspots and create a series of wildlife "corridors", with additional shrubs and trees, throughout the city to allow animals move freely around the built-up environment.
Council officials want communities to take a more active part in enhancing their environment by being involved in the likes of a "NeighbourWood" scheme - where residents' associations take care of local wildlife spaces. The council is calling on businesses to help fund projects that will benefit the natural world.
Production of the plan has been funded by the Heritage Council and the council, but costs have not been disclosed.
A 2004 survey of 63 graveyards in the capital showed 26 species of birds, 15 different habitats, and 15 different species of mammals were present, including rodents, foxes, badgers and bats.
The initiative also provides for a tree survey and the development of a tree strategy for the city; the identification and protection of creature resting places; and best practice management of sand and mud flat areas along south and north Dublin Bay.
Other proposals include a programme to manage invasive species such as grey squirrels, a wildlife-friendly garden for public education, a biodiversity educational centre and wildlife gardens in schools.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Gormley levy plan may lead to rise in refuse charges
State levies on rubbish dumped in landfill, which are to rise by a third in the near future are set to increase even further later in the year following moves by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
The decision to raise the charges has been taken in a bid to cut down on the tonnage of biodegradable waste being dumped, rather than recycled - which must be reduced if heavy European Union fines are to be avoided in two years' time.
However, the measure will lead to a sharp increase in service charges for homeowners if waste companies fail to find alternative uses for such waste, the chief executive of a leading waste company warned last night. Smaller waste companies, which number about 400 and which do not have systems to separate and recycle some of the waste that they collect, will be harder hit than the biggest four, or five waste companies.
Ireland is set to face EU fines of €250 million and more by 2010 if it does not stop 650,000 tonnes of bio-degradable waste from going into landfill. Less than 10 per cent of that reduction has been achieved so far.
In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency warned that bio-degradable waste entering landfill had increased by 9 per cent to 1.4 million tonnes - though Ireland is supposed to send no more than 967,000 tonnes by January 1st, 2010.
Currently, the Department of the Environment imposes a €15-a-tonne levy on landfill, which is to rise to €20 within weeks following Mr Gormley's decision yesterday to increase rates.
However, the Minister told Cabinet colleagues yesterday that he intends to produce legislation shortly that will allow him to increase the charges by even more, The Irish Times understands.
At the same time Mr Gormley gave notice that he will order that every tonne of waste burned by incinerators in the future will be subject to a similar levy - in a move that threatens the financial viability of planned incinerators.
The incinerator levy is based on models used already in Sweden and Denmark, which introduced the charge after they found that incineration was actually cutting down on the amount of waste they were recycling. Ireland's waste figures have increased because of economic activity, difficulties getting planning permission for waste plants, and a lack of tax incentives to encourage burning biodegradable waste as fuel in cement plants, etc.
The economics of finding "green" uses for the waste has been hampered by competition among local authorities, who control 24 of the 28 dumps licensed for household and commercial waste and who have cut prices to get business. Three years ago, Cork County Council charged €270-a-tonne, but its bill has dropped to €125-a-tonne, while the average local authority charge has fallen from €155 to €120 per tonne.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The decision to raise the charges has been taken in a bid to cut down on the tonnage of biodegradable waste being dumped, rather than recycled - which must be reduced if heavy European Union fines are to be avoided in two years' time.
However, the measure will lead to a sharp increase in service charges for homeowners if waste companies fail to find alternative uses for such waste, the chief executive of a leading waste company warned last night. Smaller waste companies, which number about 400 and which do not have systems to separate and recycle some of the waste that they collect, will be harder hit than the biggest four, or five waste companies.
Ireland is set to face EU fines of €250 million and more by 2010 if it does not stop 650,000 tonnes of bio-degradable waste from going into landfill. Less than 10 per cent of that reduction has been achieved so far.
In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency warned that bio-degradable waste entering landfill had increased by 9 per cent to 1.4 million tonnes - though Ireland is supposed to send no more than 967,000 tonnes by January 1st, 2010.
Currently, the Department of the Environment imposes a €15-a-tonne levy on landfill, which is to rise to €20 within weeks following Mr Gormley's decision yesterday to increase rates.
However, the Minister told Cabinet colleagues yesterday that he intends to produce legislation shortly that will allow him to increase the charges by even more, The Irish Times understands.
At the same time Mr Gormley gave notice that he will order that every tonne of waste burned by incinerators in the future will be subject to a similar levy - in a move that threatens the financial viability of planned incinerators.
The incinerator levy is based on models used already in Sweden and Denmark, which introduced the charge after they found that incineration was actually cutting down on the amount of waste they were recycling. Ireland's waste figures have increased because of economic activity, difficulties getting planning permission for waste plants, and a lack of tax incentives to encourage burning biodegradable waste as fuel in cement plants, etc.
The economics of finding "green" uses for the waste has been hampered by competition among local authorities, who control 24 of the 28 dumps licensed for household and commercial waste and who have cut prices to get business. Three years ago, Cork County Council charged €270-a-tonne, but its bill has dropped to €125-a-tonne, while the average local authority charge has fallen from €155 to €120 per tonne.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
House knocked and rebuilt over concerns for wildlife
A detached house overlooking Dundalk Bay, which is an EU designated area of special conservation and a Natural Heritage Area, has been demolished and rebuilt on the same site following complaints to Louth County Council by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
It is alleged by the service that the development had "encroached" on to the bay, which is an important salt marsh and one of the most important sites in the country for winter wildfowl and waders.
The failure of Louth County Council to alert the service to the planning application and therefore allow it to make known any concerns it had in advance of a decision being made, was highlighted in a letter from the Minister for the Environment John Gormley to a local resident.
The split-level 320sq m house at the Loakers, Blackrock, is on a site bounded at the south by McGuigans rock, an outcrop that overlooks the bay and has views east and north over the mudflats and salt marsh towards the Cooley mountains.
It is in close proximity to the foreshore and the high water mark and in a letter to the council last November, after permission was granted, the National Parks and Wildlife Service said part of the salt marsh, "has already been encroached on to by the infilling with imported materials".
Wildlife service conservation ranger Kieran Buckley said staff were "aghast at what we saw. We raised the issue and we are monitoring the situation".
Louth County Council says the demolition of the house, which is now being constructed from sheet piling and cast concrete, was the result of an action taken by its enforcement department.
It says the house was originally "being constructed in the wrong location" and as a result of a survey it commissioned it was "indicated that work had been carried out below the high water mark, which involved the deposition and stockpiling of soil and the construction of vertical sheet piles".
This work was encroaching on a special protection and a Special Area of Conservation. The council says the house is now being constructed "with the dwelling repositioned to the original location granted" [ permission]. One of the conditions is the submission of a suitable landscaping plan.
The letter from the Minister acknowledges that the wildlife service only became aware of the plan to build on the site after local residents brought it to their attention.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
It is alleged by the service that the development had "encroached" on to the bay, which is an important salt marsh and one of the most important sites in the country for winter wildfowl and waders.
The failure of Louth County Council to alert the service to the planning application and therefore allow it to make known any concerns it had in advance of a decision being made, was highlighted in a letter from the Minister for the Environment John Gormley to a local resident.
The split-level 320sq m house at the Loakers, Blackrock, is on a site bounded at the south by McGuigans rock, an outcrop that overlooks the bay and has views east and north over the mudflats and salt marsh towards the Cooley mountains.
It is in close proximity to the foreshore and the high water mark and in a letter to the council last November, after permission was granted, the National Parks and Wildlife Service said part of the salt marsh, "has already been encroached on to by the infilling with imported materials".
Wildlife service conservation ranger Kieran Buckley said staff were "aghast at what we saw. We raised the issue and we are monitoring the situation".
Louth County Council says the demolition of the house, which is now being constructed from sheet piling and cast concrete, was the result of an action taken by its enforcement department.
It says the house was originally "being constructed in the wrong location" and as a result of a survey it commissioned it was "indicated that work had been carried out below the high water mark, which involved the deposition and stockpiling of soil and the construction of vertical sheet piles".
This work was encroaching on a special protection and a Special Area of Conservation. The council says the house is now being constructed "with the dwelling repositioned to the original location granted" [ permission]. One of the conditions is the submission of a suitable landscaping plan.
The letter from the Minister acknowledges that the wildlife service only became aware of the plan to build on the site after local residents brought it to their attention.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
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