Campaigners celebrate court ruling on controversial gas caverns plan

Lisa Dobbie, and delighted campaigners from a local crowdfunded community group in County Antrim backed by ‘Friends of the Earth, leave the Court of Appeal after overturning an earlier judgement in favour of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. PICTURE: Alan Lewis

A Court of Appeal decision against plans to build skyscraper-sized caverns under Larne Lough for gas storage has been welcomed as a win for wildlife and the environment.

The court ruled on Monday that the plan was “cross-cutting in nature” and any marine licence approval should have been referred to the Stormont Executive.

In 2021, then-DAERA minister Edwin Poots gave consent for the scheme by Islandmagee Energy Ltd to use water to carve out seven caverns at a depth 1,350m below sea level under Larne Lough for gas storage.

However, the process would see extremely salty water pumped out to the sea.

It is feared this would create a “dead zone” for marine life.

Campaigners also warned the project could lock the north into using fossil fuels for decades, despite a legally-binding target of reducing emissions to net zero by 2050.

Lady Justice Keegan said the ministerial decision that the project was not deemed significant or controversial was “irrational”.

The No Gas Caverns group welcomed the ruling, and spokeswoman Lisa Dobbie said the community had worked “tirelessly” against the proposal.

“It’s a win for the community, wildlife and the environment,” she said.

James Orr, of Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland, said the judgement “represents a landmark recognition of environmental protections and the moral and legal obligation to cut our emissions”.

The court will decide whether to fully quash the granting of the marine licence and the awarding of costs later this month.

In a statement, Islandmagee Energy parent company Harland & Wolff told BBC NI the ruling was “disappointing”.

“After reviewing the judgement in full, we will consider next steps in relation to our options, including but not limited to, an appeal at the Supreme Court, should the need arise,” a spokesperson said.