More than 4,000 objections to a proposed national waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy on Cork Harbour have been received by Cork County Council.
As public opposition to the multi-million-pound facility continues to mount there is also evidence that political opposition to the incinerator on the council is growing. The council will decide within the next four months whether or not to grant planning permission to Indaver, a Belgian company which is proposing to build the incinerator at a site in Ringaskiddy.
However, before Christmas the general purposes committee of the council recommended that members not accept an invitation from Indaver to see its operations in Belgium, and the likelihood now is that council members will travel independently to view incineration facilities in another country.
The planning department of the council has confirmed that more than 4,000 objections to Indaver's planning application lodged last November have been received and that a further 2,000 objections are expected.
Officially, the council would be expected to decide on the planning application before the end of this month, but it is likely that by agreement an extension will be sought while further information on the proposal is examined.
Whatever the council decides, there is likely to be an oral hearing following an appeal to An Bord Pleanála. If the council finds in favour of Indaver, members of the public will appeal, and the company itself will appeal if the council refuses the application.