An Taisce has confirmed its intention to seek leave to appeal the recent decision of the High Court dismissing its challenge against the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for the development of a cheese processing plant.
The proposal is a joint venture between Glanbia and Dutch company Royal A-Ware at Belview Science and Technology Park at Slieverue, Co Kilkenny. Having considered the High Court judgment in detail An Taisce believes it raises points of law of exceptional importance which should be appealed in the public interest and An Taisce says these go to the fundamental legal obligations for environmental assessment in planning matters, in particular in relation to dairy processing.
The decision to appeal has been sharply criticised by Jackie Cahill TD for Tipperary and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee as a revolting act of betrayal against rural Ireland and the agricultural community. Commenting on news of the appeal he said: “It is impossible to comprehend how An Taisce could reasonably state that they are going to take further legal action against the Glanbia cheese plant. Deputy Cahill said “This refusal on behalf of An Taisce to accept the planning decision is treasonous and it is going to cost farming families and the Irish economy millions of Euro.
Describing An Taisce as the “leading threat to the future of rural Ireland”, a group of four former Fine Gael ministers and two senators have strongly criticised the organisation for appealing a High Court decision to grant planning permission for a €140m cheese plant in Kilkenny, which could create hundreds of new jobs.
