Almost 2,600 oppose Poolbeg incinerator

A public hearing by An Bord Pleanála into the proposed municipal waste incinerator at Poolbeg in Dublin, which is the subject of almost 2,600 objections, began in Croke Park yesterday.

Appellants to Dublin City Council's planning application for the incinerator, including Tánaiste Michael McDowell, and local TDs Ruairí Quinn (Labour) and John Gormley (Greens), attended the opening of the hearing by An Bord Pleanála inspector Padraic Thornton.

Mr Thornton said 2,591 objections had been made to the project. Of the submissions received by the board, only two were in favour.

Objections could be grouped into three categories, he said: objections on the grounds of a conflict with EU or national policy; objections to the specific development of an incinerator; and objections to the site of the incinerator.

Under these headings, objectors claimed the incinerator was in conflict with EU and national policies in relation to waste management, nature conservation, climate change and the future development of the area. They stated the incinerator would pose a risk of water and soil contamination and could cause flooding of the nearby residential areas.

Concerns were also raised in relation to the danger of an accident at the site which was close to the methane storage tank of the neighbouring sewage plant. Many objectors said that the environmental impact statement on the plant was inadequate, as was the level of public consultation. A majority of objectors said the site selection process for the development was flawed.

Mr Thornton said he would allow the council to state its case for the development before allowing appellants to cross-examine any of the council representatives. The appellants would then have an opportunity to make oral submissions, starting with those who were appealing against the compulsory purchase of lands for the development.

The Dublin Port Company, Hibernian Molasses and scrap metal business Clearway Disposals, have all objected to the compulsory purchase of the site.

The port company said it had a statutory obligation to manage the future development of Dublin Port and that it required the land for future port activities.

Assistant city manger Matt Twomey will address the hearing this morning. It is expected to continue for several weeks.