THE HIGH Court this week approved an application for a judicial review against An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant planning permission for an expansion of the red mud waste disposal area at Aughinish Alumina’s refinery site in Askeaton.
Judge Richard Humphreys approved the application by Futureproof Clare, which was made in association with an alliance of environment groups in the Mid West.
The Futureproof Clare group said in a statement this week that the expansion poses a significant threat to the health of the ecosystem and the local community.
They also claimed that the decision by An Bord Pleanála “did not address the observed environmental impacts which were acknowledged in previous planning applications”.
Aughinish owners have stated the expansion will allow the West Limerick plant to operate up to 2039.
