host posted on November 17, 2005 18:41
17 Nov 2005
An Taisce welcomes Intel decision and An Bord Pleanala criticism of Kildare County Council For further information please contact: Ian Lumley 7077064 or heritage@antaisce.org
An Taisce welcomes the grant by An Bord Pleanala of a decision with revised conditions on the proposal by Intel to expand plant and car parking at its plant in Leixlip, Co Kildare
An appeal had been lodged by An Taisce raising concern at the adequacy of the assessment of the application and conditions attached by Kildare County Council, particularly with regard to the flood plain of the European designated Rye Water River which is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The Environmental Impact Statement lodged on behalf of the applicant had recommended that no part of the spoil deposition mounding generated by the development be located closer than 25 metres to the centre line of the Rye Water with the application proposing a general distance of 36 metres from the centre line of the Rye Water.
An Bord Pleanala upheld the inspector’s recommendation with regard to extending this distance to 50 metres in order to protect the SAC designated area and river flood plain.
With regard to the issue of public transport deficiency, the inspector stated that:
“Public transport deficiency is not an issue which can be resolved by the applicant”
and also stated that public transport alternative is
“dependent upon a significant improvement on the level of service and extensive improvement in infrastructure”.
The most serious and critical comment in the inspectors report is reserved for Kildare County Council where it is stated that:
“The application appears to have been devoid of any actual planning assessment by Kildare County Council. No understanding of the planning authority’s conclusions on the adequacy of the environmental impacts of the development is provided. No attempt appears to have been made to assess any of the concerns raised by third parties” (Page 21)
The inspector also raised concern that the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government had failed to exercise its function as a prescribed consultee body in responding to the request by Kildare County Council to comment on the proposal and its effect on the Rye Water Special Area of Conservation at application stage.
An Taisce considers that the application highlights:
- The deficiency of Kildare County Council in considering major planning applications including assessment of flood impact and environmental protection
- The inadequacy of current public transport availability to meet the growth needs of Intel as well as the general development of the Greater Dublin Area
- The failure of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to participate in the planning and Environmental Impact Assessment process to protect European designated Special Areas of Conservation