An oral hearing by An Bord Pleanála on the granting of planning permission to T&J Standish Sawmills Ltd for retention of their sawmills plant at Aghancon, Co Offaly, opened yesterday. Residents appealing the decision claimed they were intimidated by plant workers who formed a picket outside the council headquarters.
An Bord Pleanála was hearing an appeal by Friends of the Irish Environment and Aghancon Concerned Residents against the decision by Offaly County Council to grant planning permission for the retention of the existing plant.
Mr Stephen Dowds, a town planning consultant engaged by the residents, said some of the witnesses had been verbally abused on their way into the hearing by some plant workers. Mr Dowds said it was an "intimidating atmosphere" for them. "Some of the residents are retired and elderly."
Mr Peter Sweetman, of the Friends of the Irish Environment, said as he came into the building he was "spat at and jostled".
During his submission, Mr Sweetman said the granting of planning permission by the council had been done in a manner "like they might grant a driving licence". He also argued the sawmills are within the curtilage of Leap Castle and "seriously interfered with the setting of Leap Castle". Mr Sweetman said there were other issues to be addressed such as the noise created by the sawmills and the pollution of the local wells.
Mr Bob Higgins, a local resident, said the community was afraid that the water had been contaminated. He accepted that the noise from the factory was not as bad since a new machine had been introduced.
Mr Kevin Macken SC, for T&J Standish Sawmills Ltd, explained that a new machine for chipping wood had been introduced at the plant in July 2002.
Mr Des Johnson, deputy planner with An Bord Pleanála, who chaired the hearing, said there were certain benefits to be gained from the existing development. "It is a very significant employer in the area," he said.
Mr Dowds said his clients wished the business well "but would like if the employers were to comply with the regulations". The development at the sawmills is in "complete flagrant disregard of the planning laws".
He said the sawmills employs people from between a 20- and 40- mile radius.
Ms Alison Ross, who inherited a cottage in the area, said there had not been as many difficulties 10 years ago. "Really, the problem has escalated just within the last three years and the noise eventually got to the point where we had to do something." Ms Ross said the residents were now against the development in principle.
The hearing also heard concerns from Shannon Regional Fisheries Board on pollution of the Fuarawn, a tributary to the local Camcor River.
Mr Mike Fitzsimons, senior fisheries environmental officer with Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, said there were concerns about extremely toxic materials being used to treat wood. "It is essential building safeguards be in place in an unambiguous manner," he said.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Johnson had pointed out that there is no need for an environmental impact report for the development as classified by the planning act. He also noted that Leap Castle, which is beside Standish Sawmills, is not a protected structure under the Offaly County Development Plan.
Mr Johnson said he would like "legal submissions, for want of a better word" this morning on these points. The oral hearing continues today.