Councillor wants executive to object to Kinsale mussel farm plan

The executive of Cork County Council has been urged to lodge an official objection to plans to develop a proposed mussel farm in Kinsale Harbour.

Fianna Fáil councillor Gillian Coughlan asked for standing orders to be suspended at the recent meeting of Cork County Council’s Western Divisional Committee in Clonakilty to inform members that she had written to the council’s chief executive officer asking that Cork County Council officially appeals the granting of a licence for the proposed mussel farm.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine granted approval for a licence for the mussel farm in Kinsale Harbour at the end of May. The plans for the mussel farm were originally submitted by Waterford-based Woodstown Bay Shellfish Ltd in 2018.

Objections

The project, which faced 609 objections between 2019 and 2021, will involve the commercial cultivation of mussels using bottom culture methods on the sub-tidal foreshore.

The 23-hectare site is located between Dock Beach, James Fort, and Charles Fort. The proposed mussel farm has met with strong local opposition with more than 500 people and 110 vessels demonstrating against the plan at a public demonstration at Dock Beach on June 13.

There was widespread support from councillors for Ms Coughlan’s call for the council executive to appeal the decision.

Independent councillor Alan Coleman said that following discussion of the matter at full council he understood that the elected members and the executive would respond separately and said that he understood that to mean that the council would appeal through the Kinsale Harbour Authority which comes under council jurisdiction.

Something fishy

Independent Ireland councillor John Collins said that there was widespread opposition to the plan, including from marine biologists and local fishermen.

Mr Collins said: “There is something fishy about this. They are looking for the name. Kinsale and West Cork is a brand. I have nothing against mussel farming but this is in the wrong place.”

Social Democrat Ann Bambury said that public amenities like the Dock Beach should be prioritised above private commercial interests and called for a full environmental assessment to be carried out.

Marie O’Sullivan of Fine Gael said there were 14 “water-based” local businesses using Kinsale Harbour who would all be affected by the mussel farm.

She said: “It makes no sense when this will only create four jobs before you even look at the aesthetic aspect.”

• This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.