An east Galway community intends to appeal to An Bord Pleanála the decision by Galway County Council to grant permission for a waste-recycling facility in the area.
The council has granted Gearóid Walsh of Walsh Waste Ltd permission for retention and development of a new industrial building for waste-recycling at Cahercormick, outside Craughwell, with 13 conditions attached.
However, Galway County Council is also taking legal action against Mr Walsh for the unauthorised use of land/buildings as a waste-management facility and unauthorised filling of land and storage of containers on the site.
The case had been adjourned on several occasions, most recently last week.
A local action group set up to oppose the development - against which 26 objections were lodged - plans to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála. A spokeswoman for the group said Mr Walsh had shown contempt for the views of local people.
"Waste from businesses and homes in Galway is being brought out to Craughwell. The waste sheds have been built without planning permission.
"Walsh Waste is operating an unauthorised waste facility and was instructed by the council to cease activities, though it clearly has not. In fact, activities there are increasing."
The group has criticised the council for failing to act on an enforcement notice served on the operator of the facility in February 2004. The group said it contravened the county development plan.
"The roads here are very narrow and they can't cope with the huge lorries going up and down the road every day as it is," the group's spokeswoman said.
One of the conditions of planning permission stipulates that no contaminated waste, liquid wastes, food waste or hazardous waste can be accepted at the facility.
To safeguard the amenities of the area, the waste accepted is not permitted to exceed 5,000 tonnes a year and no waste can be stored outside the buildings.