The future of a proposed aircraft paint-spraying facility at Donegal Airport looked uncertain this week, despite the dismissal of a judicial review application taken by a local conservation group.
The Braade, Carrickfin Conservation Group was disappointed that Mr Justice Butler in the High Court had dismissed its application against An Bord Pleanala, but said the Swedish company, Avipaint, was no longer interested in starting an aircraft refurbishment facility in Donegal.
The group said Avipaint now plans to set up a facility in Belfast.
Mr Justice Butler handed down an oral judgment after a six-day hearing, rejecting all of the points made by the conservationists, including objections to the Environmental Impact Statement produced by the developers.
The judge also rejected the contention that An Bord Pleanala's inspector had flagrantly departed from fair procedures and natural justice in the conduct of a four-day oral hearing in Gweedore in November.
The conservation group has sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court and this will be considered on October 15th. It is expected that, if necessary, the European Court of Justice will be called on to determine the matter. Mr Brendan O Baoill, operations manager at Donegal Airport, has welcomed the High Court's ruling that confirms the decision of Donegal County Council and An Bord Pleanala to grant the planning permission.
He said the proposed development was part of Donegal Airport's overall strategy to consolidate its key role in the county's transport infrastructure, as the airport could not survive on commercial flights alone.
The plan includes building two new aircraft hangars and new offices. Replying to the claim by the conservation group that Avipaint was no longer interested in developing the facility in Donegal, Mr O Baoill said they had yet to make contact with Avipaint as the company was on annual holidays.
"We will meet with Avipaint officials in the coming weeks on their return to work. While we are aware of their plans to develop a similar facility in Belfast we're hopeful that they will proceed with proposals to develop an aircraft paint-spraying factory in Carrickfin," Mr O Baoill said.
Udaras na Gaeltachta has approved a grant package for the paint-spraying facility at Donegal Airport, which remained in place during the judicial review application.