Where are we now?                                                                  
Planning application
In 2001 Indaver Ireland applied for planning permission to build a 100,000 tonne hazardous waste incinerator in Ringaskiddy.

Cork County Council received 23,000 objections to the application. And, in May 2003, Cork County Council REFUSED PERMISSION for the development as it would:

"materially contravene the County Development Plan 2003".

Planning appeal
Indaver appealed this decision to An Bord Pleanála. Twenty-four community groups and individuals also appealed – while they supported the decision, they argued that there were many more grounds for refusal than the one cited by the Council.

A long and detailed Oral Hearing was held in September/October 2003, presided over by a Senior Planning Inspector of An Bord Pleanála. You can view the Inspector’s report at: www.pleanala.ie.

Inspector’s recommendation
The Inspector’s report on the proceedings includes a clear summary and assessment of the points raised by all parties in their grounds for appeal. The Inspector’s conclusion and recommendation clearly and emphatically RECOMMEND REFUSAL of planning permission for the incinerator.

Despite the fact that he could not take into account the risk of pollution from the development, or its impact on human health, the Inspector provided a schedule of 14 REASONS for refusing planning permission.

The Board’s decision
On 15th January 2004, An Bord Pleanála decided:

• NOT to accept their Inspector's recommendation.
• To overturn the earlier decision of Cork County Council.
• To grant permission for the incinerator.

EPA waste licence
On 26th October 2004, the EPA announced a draft waste licence for the Ringaskiddy incinerator. CHASE and other community groups lodged objections to the licence and an Oral Hearing took place over two weeks in February 2005. The EPA granted the licence on 25th November 2005.
Read more.

In January 2006, Ringaskiddy and District Residents' Association Ltd lodged an application with the High Court for a judicial review of the EPA’s decision. No date has yet been set for hearing.