HARBOUR residents have reported ‘overwhelming worry and stress’ on the back of the postponement of a decision on the planned waste incinerator in Ringaskiddy.
An Bord Pleanála this week opted to push out their decision on the controversial amenity for the third time, with the initial decision expected last July.
Members of the Ringaskiddy & Districts Residents Association say the decision is having major implications on the physical and mental health of those impacted, citing ‘mental health issues, worry and stress’ in light of the uncertainty.
Ringaskiddy where the planned new Indaver incinerator will be located. Picture: Denis Scannell
The latest oral hearing on the project took place over 17 days in April and May with An Bord Pleanála initially due to release their findings on July 12, 2016. This was postponed until October and, subsequently, January and the agency has now said it will be several more weeks before a final decision can be expected.
Following a 16-year battle against the incinerator, the lower harbour community say they have been
financially and mentally drained over the uncertainty of the decision which will affect all residents in the area.
Members of the residents’ association have previously reported that they have run through their entire life savings in the legal battles against Indaver.
A statement issued by the group expressed disappointment at the postponement of the decision by An Bord Pleanála.
It stated: “Following the controversial concerns raised at the oral hearing in relation to irregularities in dioxin figures, it appeared this should have been an easy decision by An Bord Pleanala, yet the board have failed to act in an impartial and competent manner.”
The residents’ association has previously been denied extensions on the closing date for submissions to the oral hearing, a move which they have criticised in light of the length of time it has taken to make a decision.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The mental health and well-being of residents of Ringaskiddy and Lower Harbour communities is being demoralised by the board’s inability to competently achieve their role as a quasi-judiciary body, and their powers and procedures should be questioned.
“The uncertainty of this proposal induces a sickening feeling, as no decision date has been announced.”
Community group CHASE has also hit out at the postponement, of the decision, with a spokesperson saying the group ‘struggles to understand the repeated postponement.’
In a statement this week, CHASE said: “Invader’s incinerator proposal has cast a shadow over the community for 16 years. This current application drew objections from the Department of Defence, PDForra, all local TDs including Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin and Minister Simon Coveney (then Minister for Defence), as well as from staff at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) directly across the road from the proposed site.”
The post Delays on incinerator decision is causing worry and stress for Cork Harbour residents appeared first on Evening Echo.