An Bord Pleanála is to begin a hearing this morning on a controversial plan to build a €75 million waste plant in one of Ireland's most scenic mountain areas.
Today's hearing will examine a proposal by waste treatment giant Greenstar/Valeco to build an anaerobic digester plant on a farm at Ballard, Araglin, near Kilworth, on the Cork-Waterford border.
The company hopes to have the facility operating by 2008.
Greenstar says it will be a milestone development in the treatment of biodegradable liquid wastes in Ireland.
The company reportedly chose the Ballard area in Co Cork because it is located centrally in Munster and near the Cork-Dublin road.
If it is given the green light, approximately 30 jobs will be created on the 80-acre site.
However, Bill Carey, chairman of the Valley Residents' Association, which draws members from Kilworth and Ballygiblin, says Ballard is a poor choice for the building of a major waste plant.
"This is the wrong location for a development. It is a quiet, rural area of scenic beauty with a national school down the road and so on.
"We are hoping for a fair hearing. We are quietly confident justice will prevail."
Up to 100 people who are opposed to the planned development are expected to attend the hearing.
Anaerobic digestion is a biological process involving the decomposition of organic waste in the absence of oxygen.
Greenstar hopes to be able to create "green" electricity from the decomposition, and also produce solid fertiliser.
It says the environmental benefits of anaerobic digestion are multiple, including reduced water pollution, lower greenhouse emissions and reduced odours from agricultural slurries.
Greenstar says the facility will also help Ireland meet its requirements under a variety of EU directives dealing with nitrates, renewable energy, drinking water and landfills.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10am at the Firgrove Hotel in Mitchelstown, Co Cork. It is expected to last up to four days.