The High Court in Dublin has given An Taisce two weeks to lodge its legal grounds to justify a further appeal against a High Court judgement on planning permission for the Glanbia cheese plant at Belview, Co Kilkenny.

A court date of 15 June has been set to decide whether the heritage body has grounds for appeal.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands the judge did not make any comment on the case on Monday morning.

If the court finds that An Taisce has no ground for its third appeal, the final option open to the organisation is to take the case to the Supreme Court.

Set precedent

Earlier this month, An Taisce said that having considered the High Court judgement in detail, it believes it raises points of law of exceptional importance that should be appealed in the public interest.

“These go to the fundamental legal obligations for environmental assessment in planning matters, in particular in relation to dairy processing.

“We are therefore compelled by our statutory role to seek an appeal based on concerns about the specific project, and the precedent this judgement might set in relation to other similar or comparable projects in the future.

“In addition to the specific concerns for intensification of the dairy sector, An Taisce’s mandate requires it to engage with the planning system to promote human and ecosystem wellbeing and resilience for the benefit of the nation.”