It could take at least six months before Enterprise Energy will be allowed to begin work on constructing a gas terminal at Bellanaboy in north Mayo.
The company, which plans to have commercial gas from the Corrib field on the Dublin market by January 2003, is facing local objections to its plans.
People living on the Erris peninsula, close to where the gas will be brought ashore, are worried about the possible impact of the development on their unspoilt landscape. Concerns are being raised by farmers and fishermen over the potential effect on local waterways.
In addition, there are worries about the visual impact on the horizon and pollution from large chimneys in the terminal. Mr Patrick Flannery, a fisherman, said: "Many people living here are not happy about the construction being proposed by Enterprise Energy in Bellanaboy. We want jobs and we need them badly but not at the cost of our local environment."
Erris-based Fianna Fail councillor Mr Frankie Leneghan said the delay in granting planning permission to Enterprise Energy was of concern.
"Mayo County Council has . . . sought additional information from the company in light of the stack of objections that have been received by the authority . . . "I have been informed locally by objectors that if the Mayo authority grant permission for the terminal in two months' time, local objectors will appeal that decision with An Bord Pleanala and that will set the company back further," he said.
"I believe that this region can't afford to lose this project and while I accept the right of everyone to air their concerns over any planning decision, I hope the project, costing £100 million and employing 200 people locally in the construction stage, will not be lost.
"If this terminal is built, there will be up to 50 permanent jobs at the terminal for the next 20 years and that is vital employment in an area like Erris," Mr Leneghan concluded.