Following a request by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) the Department has made available a report containing the drawings alongside longitudinal profiles and cross sections.
DfI explained that at a mid-inquiry meeting administered by the PAC on November 15, 2022, objections were raised to the inclusion of new supplementary information to an Environmental Statement Addendum that had been published by the department.
The objectors contended the information had been published at ‘short notice’, DfI said.
According to DfI the PAC concluded that ‘insufficient time was allowed for members of the public to respond to this new consultation on the run-up to the festive break and scheduled inquiry’ and ‘it therefore postponed the inquiry’.
“In addition, the Commission requested some significant additional information be made available and consulted on, asking that the Department produce and consult on longitudinal and cross-sections over the full length of the scheme.
“The Department is now complying with this PAC request and will commence a new consultation on January 18, concluding on March 3, 2023.
“It is hoped that the reconvened public inquiry be swiftly reconvened thereafter, the timing being at the discretion of the PAC,” the department said.