Castle Hayne, N.C. — A victory Monday for environmental groups concerned about a planned cement plant in Wilmington.

Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens ruled the state must conduct a thorough environmental impact study before issuing any permits to Titan America.

The plant would be built on the site where Ideal Cement was located, near Castle Hayne in New Hanover County. That plant shut down in 1982.

Some New Hanover residents and state environmental groups filed legal challenges after that state said the plant did not have to meet certain Environmental Policy Act requirements.

Proponents say the plant would bring much-needed jobs to the area, while opponents are concerned over the potential negative impact the facility could have on the Cape Fear River.