Not as smooth as a Rolls Royce

Proponents of a 105 megawatt gas turbine power station in Dungarvin, Co Waterford, got their boundary lines crossed last week…

Proponents of a 105 megawatt gas turbine power station in Dungarvin, Co Waterford, got their boundary lines crossed last week when they attempted to submit a planning application to the wrong local authority.

Dungarvin Energy Ltd, a joint venture between Rolls Royce Power Ventures and a consortium of local business people, contracted the engineering consultants ESBI to handle their planning application. But it seems ESBI's local knowledge wasn't what it should be.

The consortium mistakenly placed an advert in a national newspaper proposing to apply for planning permission to Waterford County Council.

However, the site for the proposed power station is actually within the boundaries of Dungarvin UDC.

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When a representative for the consultants arrived at Waterford County Council offices on Tuesday last he was swiftly informed that he had chosen the wrong council.

The communications break down doesn't stop there. A representative handling the Irish venture for Rolls Royce Power Ventures later contacted by The Irish Times acknowledged somewhat irately that he didn't know anything about the error. Proving not everything runs smoothly even for Rolls Royce.

However, the Rolls Royce representative confirmed a correct planning application for the power station would be submitted by the end of the week for a site at the former Glanbia Creamery at Shandon.

Let's hope this one doesn't go sour for them.