O'Brien v South Tipperary County Council

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Judge: Mr. Justice Aindrias Ó Caoimh
• Judgment Date: 22 October 2002
• Neutral Citation: 2002 WJSC-HC 5376
• Date: 22 October 2002
• Docket Number: No. 387 J.R. 2002
• Court: High Court

2002 WJSC-HC 5376

THE HIGH COURT

No. 387 J.R. 2002

O'BRIEN & ORS v. TIPPERARY CO COUNCIL & ORS

JUDICIAL REVIEW

Between:

AIDAN O'BRIEN, COOLMORE, CASTLEHYDE AND ASSOCIATED STUD FARMS (PARTNERSHIP the partners being John Magnier, Susan Magnier and Linley Investments)

Applicants

and

THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF SOUTH TIPPERARY, AN BORD PLEANÁLA, IRELAND and THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Respondents

and

NATIONAL BY PRODUCTS and THE PERSONS LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE STATEMENT TO GROUND THE APPLICATION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW

Notice Parties

Citations:

RSC O.84

EEC DIR 97/11

EUROPEAN PROTECTION AGENCY ACT 1992 S98

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 S256

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1963 S23(1)(A)(B)

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (AMDT) REGS 1994 SI 84/1994 ART 6

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 28(2)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 58

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 7

WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT 1996 S54(3)

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 S257

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACT 1992 S98(1)(I)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1963 PART 4

LOCAL GOVT PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 PART 4

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACT 1992 PART 4

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 14

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 15

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 16

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 32

CONSTITUTION ART 15.2

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1963 S26

CONSTITUTION ART 40.3

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) REGS 1989 SI 349/1989

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (AMDT) REGS 1999 SI 93/1999

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (AMDT) REGS 1996 SI 101/1996

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (AMDT) REGS 1998 SI 351/1998

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 2000 S50

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1963 S82

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1963 S26(1)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1963 S26(1)(A)(B)

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (AMDT) REGS 1994 SI 84/1994 ART 25

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (AMDT) REGS 1994 SI 84/1994 ART 6(B)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1963 S26(5)(D)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1997 SI 261/1997 ART 7

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1992 S6

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1997 SI 261/1997 ART 57

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1997 SI 261/1997 ART 56

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1992 S98(1)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1992 S87

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1992 S83

TREATY OF ROME ART 130

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 2(1)

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 3

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 6(1)

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 1(2)

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 2

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACT 1992 S3

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACT 1992 S4

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACT 1992 S98

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACT 1992 S98(1)(B)(I)

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 4

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACT 1992 S4(2)(C)

WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT 1996 PART 5

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 23

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 5

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 6

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 7

EEC DIR 85/337 ART 8

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 15(1)(D)(I)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 15(1)(D)(2)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 15(2)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 16(1)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 16(2)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 16(4)(C)(3)

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES) (AMDT) REGS 1986 SI 292/1986 REG 12

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES) (AMDT) REGS 1986 SI 292/1986 REG 13

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES) (AMDT) REGS 1986 SI 292/1986 REG 14

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES) (AMDT) REGS 1986 SI 292/1986 REG 15

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES) (AMDT) REGS 1986 SI 292/1986 REG 16

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES) (AMDT) REGS 1986 SI 292/1986 REG 17

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES) (AMDT) REGS 1986 SI 292/1986 REG 18

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES) (AMDT) REGS 1989 SI 194/1989

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES) (AMDT) REGS 1992 SI 21/1992

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 32

EEC DIR 96/82

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 32(1)(G)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1999 S8(1)(B)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 32(1)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGS 1994 SI 86/1994 ART 32(23)

G V DPP 1994 1 IR 374

R V BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL EX PARTE FERRERO LTD 1993 1 AER 530

ABENGLEN PROPERTIES, STATE V DUBLIN CORPORATION 1984 IR 381

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1976 S14(8)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1963 S82(3)

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1963 S82(3)(A)

WILSON, STATE V NEILAN 1985 IR 89

NOVA COLOUR GRAPHIC SUPPLIES LTD V EMPLOYMENT APPEALS TRIBUNAL 1987 IR 426

MEMOREX WORLD TRADE CORPORATION V EMPLOYMENT APPEALS TRIBUNAL 1990 2 IR 184

MCGOLDRICK V AN BORD PLEANALA 1997 1 IR 497

EIRCELL LTD V LEITRIM CO COUNCIL 2000 1 IR 479

MARTIN V AN BORD PLEANALA 2002 2 IR 655 2003 1 ILRM 257

BUCKLEY V KIRBY & DPP 2000 3 IR 431 2001 2 ILRM 395

R V BOW STREET MAGISTRATES COURT EX PARTE NONCYP 1988 3 WLR 827

CAMPUS OIL V MIN INDUSTRY 1983 IR 88

LOCAL GOVT & DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 S265(4)

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACT (COMMENCEMENT) (NO 3) ORDER 2001 SI 599/2001

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGS 2001 SI 600/2001 REG 207

P & F SHARPE LTD V DUBLIN CITY & COUNTY MANAGER 1989 IR 701

TENNYSON V CORPORATION OF DUN LAOGHAIRE 1991 2 IR 527

MONAGHAN UDC V ALF A BET PROMOTIONS LTD 1980 ILRM 64

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ACT 1972 S3

LOCAL GOVT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1963 S26(5)(B)

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 S37

Synopsis:

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Judicial review

Certiorari - Alternative remedies - Leave - Declarations - Whether application by way of judicial review more appropriate to appeal to An Bord Pleanála - Council Directive 85/337/EEC (as amended) - Rules of the Superior Courts, 1986 SI 15/1986 (2002/387JR - O Caoimh J - 22/10/2002)

O'Brien v South Tipperary County Council

This was an application for leave to apply for judicial review for an order of certiorari quashing a decision of the South Tipperary County Council to grant permission to National By Products for a proposed development. The applicant also sought declarations. The essential matters advanced by the applicant related to the EIS Directive; the notice; the description contained in the notice; and the impact on heritage sites. The central issue was whether the application by way of judicial review was a more appropriate method of procedure to an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

Held by Ó Caoimh J. in granting the applicant leave that the applicant had established substantial grounds in relation to the implementation of the EC Directive into Irish law. The issues in relation to the notice were also substantial. The issues raised were more appropriately dealt with in judicial review proceedings. The remedy of appeal did not represent an alternative.

1 Judgment of Mr. Justice Aindrias Ó Caoimh delivered the 22nd October, 2002.

2 This is an application for leave to institute proceedings by way of an application for an order of certiorari by way of an application for judicial review pursuant to Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts of a decision of the first respondent of the 13th May, 2002 to grant permission to the first named notice party National By Products for the proposed development comprising the installation of a burner unit in a previously permitted building (Plan Ref. 01/976) referred to hereafter as the "permitted building") for the purpose of the thermal treatment of selected animal by products and the associated generation of electricity; associated change or use of the permitted building from rendering activities to a thermal treatment facility; installation of a condenser unit; and associated plant and cladding outside the envelope of the permitted building at the southern elevation and the demolition of an existing workshop building to facilitate installation of the condenser; associated storage tanks and ash storage silos in a dedicated storage area within the existing compound building and associated part change of use of the compounding building from rendering activities to storage associated with the proposed thermal treatment use; associated internal modifications to the permitted building; the installation of louvers on the east and west elevations of the permitted building; alterations to the roof profile of the permitted building; retention of a thermal oxidiser associated with the established rendering activities on site; an increase in height of the permitted emissions stack at the rendering plant from 23m to 25m (planning register reference: 01/441); and all development and works associated with the proposed development at the established rendering facility" at the southern elevation at the premises of National By Products at Castleblake, Rosegreen, Cashel, County Tipperary.

3 In addition to an order of certiorari quashing the said decision the applicants seek ancillary relief in the form of...