Thursday 12 November 2009

Dublin port hearing to reopen

Bord Pleanála is to reopen its oral hearing into plans by Dublin Port Company to infill 52 acres of Dublin Bay.

The hearing was adjourned last September after it was revealed that the Bord's advisor on hydrogeology, HR Wallingford Ltd, had previously worked for Drogheda Port Company.

Drogheda Port Company is seeking to develop a rival port to Dublin Port, at Bremore near Balbriggan in north County Dublin. Drogheda Port Company is also a party to the Oral Hearing on the infill project.

Last month Bord Pleanála rejected any suggestion of bias on the part of HR Wallingford but announced it would change its advisor.

The new advisor is to be Anthony Cawley of Hydro Environmental Limited. He will act as the specialist consultant to assist the Inspector Brendan Wyse and advise the board.

The board said Mr Cawley was being given time to read himself into the brief and the oral hearing would resume on November 30th in All Hallows College, Drumcondra.

News of the reopening of the hearing was welcomed by opponents of the plan, Dublin Bay Watch, which said it looks forward to having its objections heard.

Irish Times

www.buckplanning.ie

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