A group opposing a new cement plant near Oamaru has applied to the Environment Court to have parts of the consent application clarified under the Resource Management Act.

Submissions on Holcim’s application are scheduled to be heard in August.

The Waiareka Valley Preservation Society says it does not believe Holcim’s statements that it will meet all the standards necessary to comply with the District Plan.

The society’s spokesperson, Rodney Jones, says it took the matter to the court to secure a stronger platform on which a resource consent decision could be made.

The company says even if the application is successful, building a plant near Oamaru is not certain and a final decision will be made next year.