An oral hearing for a superdump in Silvermines in Co Tipperary has been postponed for a third time.
An Bord Pleanβla cancelled the hearing this week because North Tipperary County Council requested an adjournment.
The council requested the hearing be put back because some of its technical and legal experts were not available for the hearing in mid-November.
The oral hearing arises from a council decision not to grant permission to Waste Management Ireland for a landfill at Silvermines, with the capacity to take 450,000 tonnes of waste each year for 25 years.
The waste company is appealing the refusal.
The council's decision to refuse permission for the development was to be examined at an oral hearing in August 2000.
Despite An Bord Pleanβla's postponement of the hearing, it is anxious to press ahead. Some sources have speculated that the hearing will not be held until the new year.
The Silvermines Environmental Action Group is disappointed. "The reality is that we have no control over this. It is at the discretion of the board. We are as ready as ever. We have been ready to honour all the dates set by the board.
"We are a bit disappointed but we will have to wait until a new date is set," said group spokesman Mr Eamon De Stafort.
Mr Mark Gilligan, development manager with Waste Management Institute, said it was disappointed with An Bord Pleanβla's decision.
"We are disappointed but this is a pubic inquiry and both sides have the right to represent themselves properly. It would not be fair for WMI to bring the council to the hearing without them being fully ready for it. Everyone deserves a fair crack of the whip," said Mr Gilligan.
"There is going to be a point where the board will have to draw the line because delays do not serve the interests of the developer, and we are a developer," he added.