The High Court has quashed An Bord Pleanála’s decision to refuse planning permission for Shannon LNG's plans for a gas terminal in North Kerry.
Last year, the planning appeals board ruled against Shannon LNG’s plans to build a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Tarbert/Ballylongford landbank.
In making its decision last year, An Bord Pleanála cited what it said was Government policy; that it wouldn’t be appropriate to permit or proceed with any development of any LNG terminals pending the completion of the review of the energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems.
Shannon LNG sought a judicial review of An Bord Pleanála’s decision.
Today, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys in the High Court has found in favour of Shannon LNG.
He upheld Shannon LNG’s argument that the planning appeals board’s decision was invalid as it had failed to consider relevant considerations including the Kerry County Development Plan which supported the LNG facility, and the Government’s National Risk Assessment document published last year which recognised the country’s lack of diversity of energy supply sources and that current storage is a risk for security of supply.
Mr Justice Humphreys also held that the board misclassified a consultation document by listing it under the heading of national policy which was an error in lawful consideration.
