Courts / Cork / Report

Challenge to Cork docklands development plan

Date
2019-11-04

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Cork City

County
Cork

Summary

In a High Court case, the Save Cork City Community Association CLG challenged Cork City Council's approval of a €6 million road upgrade that would open the city's docklands for further development. The association argued that the council's decision was flawed and breached EU directives on habitats and environmental assessments. It claimed that the council failed to explain how it determined the impact on nearby special conservation areas and that the approval was part of the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, which is still under environmental assessment. The association said the council's approval amounted to "project splitting" and violated public participation rights. The group sought an order quashing the council's decision, declarations that the decision breached EU directives, and that the flood works were integral to the Lower Lee scheme. Permission to proceed was granted ex‑parte by Mr Justice Charles Meenan, with the case set for a January hearing.