FERMOY WEIR APPLICATION DELAYED UNTIL Q4

The Fermoy weir remediation and fish bypass planning application has now been pushed back to Q4 of this year.

Speaking at the Northern Committee meeting on Monday, senior engineer with Cork County Council Joan Dineen, told councillors that a planning submission to An Bord Pleanala is expected in quarter four 2021.

Glanworth-based councillor Frank O’Flynn, queried the timelines, stating he had believed that the planning application would be submitted in late August.

“We were led to believe that it would go to planning with An Bord Pleanala in late August or September. Every month it goes on is a month too long,” Cllr O’Flynn stressed.

Council engineer Kevin Costello, stated that while an exact date was not available currently, the programme is that documentation and the planning application will be submitted in Q4 of this year.

“This is a very complex application and we want to make sure that we get it right,” Mr Costello said.

Local councillor Noel McCarthy also sought a timeline on progress with the Fermoy weir remediation and fish pass.

“It’s vital that we have as much information as we can. If we can get it in in Q4 it would be very welcome, because I think a lot of people would be interested in getting the timeframes on it,” Cllr McCarthy said.

FURTHER CALLS

Then, at this month’s Fermoy Municipal District meeting held on Tuesday, Cllr Frank O’Flynn again pressed council officials regarding the expediation of progress on the weir. “We need to fast-track this. Covid is over and there should be no more excuses,” Cllr O’Flynn said.

Municipal District officer Pauline Moriarty, agreed with Cllr O’Flynn, stating that the weir plans and progress did need to be fast-tracked, while stating that “additional reports and investigations are ongoing as well.”