21/7530

The importation of clean and inert soil & stone for the raising of an agricultural field in order to improve the agricultural output of the field and the construction of a new temporary haul road and improvement of an existing site entrance gate. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and will be submitted to the authority with this application

Granted

Core Planning Reasoning

The Inspector recommended granting permission because the development supports agricultural diversification and waste management objectives of the Cork County Development Plan 2022-2028. It was concluded that the proposal would not significantly injure visual amenities in a High Value Landscape, nor would it adversely affect the integrity of nearby European Sites (Natura 2000) given the implementation of site-specific mitigation measures.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The development is acceptable in principle as it facilitates the improvement of marginal agricultural land through the importation of inert soil, aligning with specific County Development Plan objectives.
  • While the site is located within 500 meters of the Cork Harbour SPA and Great Island Channel SAC, the Inspector found that potential impacts like sedimentation and noise disturbance can be effectively managed through the proposed NIS and CEMP mitigation measures.
  • The predicted traffic generation of approximately 3 HGV imports per day is considered low and unlikely to pose a significant risk to traffic safety on the surrounding local road network.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Objective EC: 8-15 Agriculture and Farm DiversificationObjective GI 14-9: LandscapeObjective GI 14-10: Draft Landscape StrategyObjective BE 15-7: Control of Invasive Alien SpeciesObjective BE 15-17: Waste Prevention and Management

Decision Document Summary

Coolyrahilly Farms Ltd. proposed the importation of 60,000 tonnes of clean inert soil and stone over a five-year period to raise a 2.45-hectare agricultural field at Ballydaniel More, Co. Cork. The site, currently in poor agricultural condition, is located within a 'High Value Landscape' area and is proximate to two sensitive Natura 2000 sites. Cork County Council initially granted permission, but this was appealed by third parties who challenged the adequacy of the ecological surveys and expres...
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