A decision on the Ringaskiddy incinerator will not be delivered to meet the 6th target date of 27 October and a new date has been set by Bord Pleanala. Bord Pleanala now states “Case is due to be decided by 19 December 2017″.
The latest deferral was made following October information submitted to Bord Pleanala by Indaver in response to observers July submissions on Indaver’s previous round of additional information, submitted at the invitation of the Bord in May 2017 and inviting correction of dioxin figure errors exposed at the Oral Hearing, as well as provision of additional information on safety of helicopter flight paths.
The October information submitted by Indaver can be viewed online at http://ringaskiddyrrc.ie/response-to-submissions-02-10-2017/. This information does not adequately address observations made by CHASE and others in July and we would urge Bord Pleanala to assess this independently. Indaver’s track record of accuracy is lacking, highlighted by the serious dioxin errors contained in the initial application.
We would also urge Bord Pleanala to consider the many and significant changes which have taken place between the time of their statutory deadline of July 2016 and now.
During this time
- The site has been rezoned (July 2017) for education purposes by Cork County Councillors in the Local Area Plans, in-keeping with current developments surrounding the site.
- Strong commitments have been made by Europe to circular economies and renewable energy, with strict limitations on energy produced from unsorted waste placing incineration at the bottom of the waste management hierarchy.
- An increase in extreme weather events is causing visible and ongoing erosion of the site, evident again during both Hurricane Ophelia and Storm Brian.
- The value of the tourism amenity around the site has been strongly affirmed with Spike Island named Europe’s leading tourism attraction in September 2017.
Two planning inspectors to date have recommended refusing this proposal with site suitability flagged as an issue by both, a recommendation upheld by the 2011 Board.
The location becomes more unsuitable with each delay in making a decision.