Claims of U-turn over incinerator pledge

Campaigners against a proposed €160 million incinerator project for Cork harbour have accused the company involved of a U-turn after it began a consultation process with the local authority before a High Court challenge over the project.

Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment yesterday accused Indaver of reneging on assurances given at a Bord Pleanála hearing.

Alliance chairwoman Mary O’Leary said that Indaver chief executive John Ahern told the Bord Pleanála hearing that whatever the outcome of its application for the project, it would accept it as final.

In June 2011, An Bord Pleanála issued its decision to refuse planning permission for the twin incinerators at Ringaskiddy. Five months later, Indaver announced it was seeking a judicial review of An Bord Pleanála’s decision.

Last week, it emerged that Indaver has embarked on a consultation with Cork County Council regarding its waste-management strategy, which it plans to use to inform its judicial review of the decision by An Bord Pleanála.