600 submissions ‘send message’ on plan to build incinerator in Cork Harbour

More than 600 submissions have been sent to An Coimisiún Pleanála on the plan to build a 240,000-tonne incinerator at Ringaskiddy.

The 2025 planning application by Indaver is a continuation of their 2016 application, planning for which was quashed at the High Court and referred back to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

It comes as Cork city councillors recently signed a letter stating their support for a submission made by Cork County Council’s chief executive, Moira Murrell, opposing the plans.

Several Cork TDs have also spoken out against the proposal and encouraged Fáilte Ireland to do the same on the grounds that it would disrupt the region’s tourism potential.

The window for observations closed at An Coimisiún Pleanála last Monday. A spokesperson for Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (CHASE) said that by Tuesday afternoon An Coimisiún Pleanála had counted more than 600 submissions, including a substantial objection from CHASE, with many more still to be processed.

Message

CHASE chairperson Mary O’Leary said: “We believe the message sent — that this incinerator is not welcome — is louder than ever before.

“We welcome the joined-up approach from Cork county councillors, who have been supported by city councillors in voicing their opposition to the revived plans.

“We also welcome their recognition of Cork Harbour as a unit that’s bigger than city and county boundaries.

“This aligns with Fáilte Ireland’s plans to create a destination experience across the city, the harbour, and into East Cork, with a focus on delivering a ‘world-class harbour experience’,” said Ms O’Leary.

“This is the vision we all share, and the proposed commercial incinerator — visible throughout the harbour, according to the plans — plays no part in that,” she added.

Overwhelming

“The response and focus over the past few weeks have been overwhelming,” said Ms O’Leary, adding that volunteers, public representatives, clubs, schools, organisations, businesses, and groups have worked around the clock to make submissions within the short timeframe.

“We believe this site has been a poor choice since 2001,” she said.

“All three of An Bord Pleanála’s inspectors have recommended refusal of each application, and we hope this remitted case can be closed with a refusal, as recommended by the Bord Pleanála senior planning inspector following the 2016 hearing.”