Gouldings has been refused planning permission to construct a new agricultural fertiliser facility in Cork following appeals by several third parties.
Cork County Council had initially granted planning permission, with conditions attached, for the construction of the facility, and additional port operational use of the jetty to facilitate cargo vessels carrying bulk granular fertiliser, at Belvelly Port Facility, Marino Point, Cobh.
The site in question is located to the north west of Great Island in Cork Harbour, Europe’s largest natural harbour, which is described in statutory plans as being a special character area and a strategic asset.
Gouldings had been hoping to relocate its current operations from City Docks to a new facility at Marino Point.
Objections to Gouldings fertiliser facility
Those who appealed the grant of planning permission cited several concerns including the “intensification of jetty by 40 further vessels” and the noise that might arise.
Others raised concern about the poor road network on approach which would be carrying more HGVs and could therefore have consequences for traffic and safety.
Residents of Passage West also claimed that there was “insufficient regard to residential amenities” as required by the Development Plan and highlighted the impact of noise and the potential risk to water quality.
Gouldings itself also appealed one condition of the planning permission granted by Cork County Council which required a special financial contribution of €1,079,458 towards road improvements.
In response to objections about the noise impact, the company stated that surveys indicate that noise emissions from onboard generators on vessels such as those intended to use the proposed jetty, are in most cases inaudible beyond 100m.
The company also disputed the claim that the road network in the area is “already unsafe” referring to Road Safety Authority (RSA) data on the matter and said the design mitigation measures and Operation Traffic Management system were acceptable to the planning authority.
Decision by An Bord Pleanála
Having considered all the submissions, An Bord Pleanála decided to overturn the decision by the county council and has refused permission for the fertiliser facility.
Referencing the Cork County Development Plan, the higher planning authority said the capacity of the R624 regional road does is not sufficient to cater for any traffic-intensive use, port-related or otherwise.
The county development plan added that upgrade of that road would need to be carried out to facilitate any largescale development proposals.
As there are no plans currently in place for a full upgrade of that road, An Bord Pleanála said it was considered “deficient in terms of width, alignment and carrying capacity to cater for the traffic”, particularly HGVs.
The planning authority acknowledged the need to move port-related or industrial activities out from residentially zoned areas to other locations at Cork Harbour.
However, it suggested that the proposed development at Marino Point provides an opportunity to make use of the rail resource at that location for rail-based freight distribution of product which would be a more sustainable option.