Nobber incinerator hearing adjourned

BORD Pleanála inspector Pauline Fitzpatrick adjourned the oral hearing into College Protein, Nobber's proposal for a combined heat and power station (CHP) this afternoon (Friday) after local landowner David Horgan pointed out five acres of his land had been included within the site location submitted in the firm's Environmental Impact Statement(EIS). Mr Oisín Collins, barrister for the objectors, pressed for Strategic Infrastructural Development Scheme (SIDS) application be ruled invalid and claimed no revision could amend the matters discussed over the previous fortnight, at considerable cost to his clients in expert witnesses and legal counsel. Ms Suzanne Murray, for College Proteins, challenged the Inspector's entitlement to make any ruling on the validity following the disclosure on the five-acre strip of lands, owned by Mr Horgan. This was land slated for placing overburden, but College Proteins had other lands to which this material could be moved. Further lengthy legal discussion continued after a one-hour break while Ms Fitzpatrick consulted with the Board. She pressed Mr Collilns as to why the information concerning the title to the five acres had been brought at this time. He responded that he had to clarify through a land registry search that very morning that title was indeed with Mr Horgan. Ms Fitzpatrick said she was not in a position to make a ruling and would have to report to the Board. The parties would be notified in three weeks as to the Board's findings.