Negative Impact on

1. Greenore Port are seeking to “fast-track” approval for their proposal. Fast-tracking means bypassing local authorities (Louth County Council) and applying directly to An Bord Pleanala under the new Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006. This new planning process severely restricts public consultation and will afford the public only SEVEN WEEKS to make a submission to An Bord an application is made.
   
   
2. The proposed development contravenes the National Spatial Strategy and the Regional Development Guidelines which state that "it is the objective of the Regional Authority to, in particular, support the development of the Drogheda Port Access Route"
   
   
3. The proposed New Port would consist of a 300m quay wall to accommodate 2 Container/Bulk berths and 1 Roll-On Roll-Off ferry berth. The facility would be designed to accommodate 65,000 containers per annum and 100,000 ferry vehicles per annum (all commercial freight).
   
   
4. The construction of the New Port would reclaim approximately 5 hectares (over 12 acres) of Carlingford Lough.
   
   
5. The operation of the port will result in over 800 HGV movements per day on the Cooley Peninsula, 365 days a year.
   
   
6. The proposed New Port would be located within 300m of the Oyster Beds which produce over 70% of the internationally renowned Carlingford Oysters (Grade A).
   
   
7. The proposed New Port is to be located in an area which is currently designated;
   • pSPA (proposed Special Protection Area)
   • SAC (Special Area of Conservation)
   • PNHA (proposed Natural Heritage Area)
   • AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)
   • ASSI (Area of Special Scientific Interest)
   • A National Heritage Site
   • In waters protected by the European Communities (Quality of Shellfish Waters) Regulations. 
     
     
8. “The developer plans to use mobile cranes rather than high capacity ship to shore gantry cranes and will transfer labour from other port operations as and when needed rather than recruiting a separate labour force for the terminal” – Dep’t of Transport Report based on a report by Fisher Associates.
   
   
9. It has been reported that the new facility may be capable of handling the wasteproduct from the proposed new incinerator in Co.Meath.
   
   
10. Other port proposals such as Bremore (a Greenfield site located just north of Balbriggan which is rail linked, adjacent to the M1 motorway and 15 minutes from the M50 motorway) represent a better alternative to increase port capacity on the east coast of Ireland.
    

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