The proposed €200 million redevelopment of Galway Harbour has received approval to submit a planning application to An Bord Pleanála, according to Build.ie. 

As reported previously on Afloat.ie, the Galway Harbour Company's €200 million scheme involves moving the port south onto 24 hectares of reclaimed land in deeper water to accommodate cruise liners, as well as a proposed rail link and marina expansion.

Following the public consultation earlier this year and subsequent discussions with An Bord Pleanála, the scheme has been deemed a 'strategic infrastructure development' and a planning application under this designation is expected to be lodged this month.

New Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan has signed off on a key foreshore licence to Shell Ireland, paving the way for the completion of the controversial Corrib gas project.

The Irish Times reports that the licence, subject to conditions, consents for the construction of the final 8km section of pipeline linking the Corrib gas field to Shell's onshore terminal at Ballinaboy. Co Mayo.

The scheme already has approval from An Bord Pleanála, and consents approved by former acting energy minister Pat Carey. But An Taisce has sought a judicial review of the planning decision, due before the High Court on Tuesday.

Still required by the developer before any work can begin are a revised emissions licence from the Environmental Protection Agency and a safety permit from the Commission for Energy Regulation under the Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Act 2010.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

A Donegal conservation group has hit out at An Bord Pleanála for approving plans for a 13-turbine wind farm in a scenic Gaeltacht area.

The Irish Times reports that businessman PJ Molloy originally sought permission for 35 wind turbines with a 90m blade diameter to be erected near Glenties. 

This number was reduced following consultation with the Donegal County Council and the Department of the Environment regarding the impact to protected species in the local habitat such as freshwater mussels, Atlantic salmon and otters.

However the Gweebarra Conservation Group has criticised the granting of planning permission, arguing that the Government is "giving tax incentives to private investors to destroy our hills and bogs".

The group also highlighted concern over health dangers potentially associated with the high-voltage power lines necessary to transmit electricity from the turbines.

The planning board voted five-to-two to grant permission for the turbines, taking into account both the National Renewable Energy Action Plan and the suitability of the site - which falls outside exclusion areas under Donegal County Council’s development plan.

Controversy has arisen over the decision by outgoing Minister for Energy Pat Carey to grant key consents for the Corrib gas pipeline on the day of the general election.

According to the Irish Times, the Department of Energy said consent to construct the pipeline was issued "as a matter of course" after An Bord Pleanála approved the new pipeline route in January.

But Green Party sources told the paper that a recommendation on the consent application by Shell Ireland had not arrived on the desk of former Energy Minister Eamon Ryan before he left office that month.

Meanwhile, An Taisce is seeking a judicial review of the planning decision, which is believed to breach a number of EU directives.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, planning for the last 8km stage of the Corrib pipeline - which runs through a special area of conversation - was only approved with 58 conditions related its construction and management.

Labour Party president Michael D Higgins told The Irish Times: “This is not a decision that one would regard as 'clearing one’s desk' as minister, as it has very serious implications."

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour company has issued an invitation to tender for a new floating berth, despite being refused permission to continue development of the historic Carlisle Pier, The Sunday Business Post reports.

Most of the listed structure was torn down in September 2009 and replaced with a car park by the company, which said it received legal advice that planning permission was not required.

Following a campaign by local residents and the intervention of Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe and Dun Laoughaire Rathdown County Council, An Bord Pleanála ruled that the redevelopment was not exempted.

According to The Sunday Tribune, the development plans were rejected on the basis of their effect on the local conservation area and failure to reuse elements of the old pier structures.

However, last week the company published a notice inviting tenders for a floating pontoon berth to be attached to the old pier, designed to accommodate cruise passengers. 

The tender details are available to read online, and the project is currently pending planning permission.

The harbour company is part of the Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group, which is marketing the town as a destination for international cruise liners.

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan will issue a decision "in the coming weeks" on Shell Ireland's plans to complete the Corrib gas pipeline, The Irish Times reports.

The news follows yesterday's ruling by An Bord Pleanála which approved revised plans final section of the controversial pipeline.

Shell also requires licencing from Minsiter for the Environment John Gormley and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the completion of the pipeline under the conservation area of Sruwaddacon esturary to Shell's Ballinaboy gas terminal. 

It would be a further two years before the pipeline is fully operational.

An Bord Pleanála's Inspector Martin Nolan commented that the "clarity and transparency" of Shell's revised application gave "confidence that the safety of the public is fully protected".

However planning was only approved with 58 conditions related to the construction and management of the 8.3km pipeline - including extra security at the landfall valve at Glengad, which has raised the ire of local residents at last year's oral hearings.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.