Churchfield waste facility is refused permission following opposition from residents

Plans for a controversial waste facility in Churchfield have been rejected by An Bord Pleanála, more than six months after it was rejected by Cork city hall.

Greener Families Ltd, a sister company of Country Clean, had submitted plans for a civic amenity bring site at Churchfield Industrial Estate.

Country Clean already operates a waste transfer and sorting facility in the area.

The decision on whether to grant permission by the planning board was deferred three times before being rejected yesterday.

Residents and local representatives had argued the site is not suitable for such a development and have cited concerns over odours emanating from the facility, increased traffic and lack of infrastructure in the heavily populated area.

City Hall rejected the Greener Families’ application in May on the basis that the site is zoned for residential, local services, and institutional uses and is close to large residential areas on the south and east.

Local Sinn Fein councillors Kenneth Collins and Mick Nugent welcomed the news.

“The people of the northside are very happy at the news,” said Cllr Nugent.

“The community has really come together to fight against this and it’s great to see that all their hard work, all their submissions pay off.

“They were very worried at the impact the waste facility might have, the idea of a bring site is not a bad one, but this was a very unsuitable location for it,” he added.

“It’s good to see An Bord Pleanala hold up the council’s decision last May, locals were waiting anxiously for a decision but now it’s all behind them.” Cllr Collins added that it was an “unbelievable success” for the local community and all involved.

“The community were up against a large company with considerable financial backing so to get this result is fantastic.

“It’s particularly great for the people who live so close to that site, that they won’t have to deal with it, they must be delighted,” he added.

“It’s great that An Bord Pleanala took the community’s concerns on board.” 

Ireland South MEP Liadh Ní Riada took to social media to express her delight at the news.

“I'm delighted to hear that An Bord Pleanála have upheld the decision by Cork City Council to refuse permission for the site on John F Connelly Road in Churchfield,” said the former presidential candidate.

“The power of a community voice should never be underestimated.”