News from down the country

national | environment | news report Monday March 22, 2010 17:09 by Contaminated Crow

Four quarries, a windfarm, a telemast, a bioenergy plant, a composting facility, a LNG terminal and “dirty industry” zoning

Local residents of Athleague, Co. Roscommon, have appealed to An Bord Pleanala against planning permission granted to Brian Murray for further development of a quarry at Glennanammer, Athleague. (Roscommon Herald 18/3/10, p.4).

An Bord Pleanala has refused permission for continuation of work at a stone, sand and gravel quarry at Liscarry, Westport, Co. Mayo, following a submission by An Taisce raising concerns over discharges to water. (Western People 16/3/10, p.19).

An Bord Pleanala has refused an application for retention of a quarry at Ballinalee, Co. Longford, which had been appealed by local residents, based on a European Court of Justice decision that Ireland’s retention permission system does not comply with EIA Directives. (Longford News 17/3/10, p. 7).

An Bord Pleanala has overturned planning permission for retention of part of a sandstone quarry near Kenmare, Co. Kerry, following appeals by three locals, supported by an observation by An Taisce. (Kerry’s Eye 18/3/10, p. 29).

Over 70 locals attended a meeting last week in Ballybeg, Co. Roscommon, to oppose plans by Coillte for a 100 million Euro windfarm on Sliabh Ban, Strokestown, called by the Sliabh Ban Conservation Group. The meeting was addressed by a Mullingar resident who is a member of a group opposing a similar windfarm in Co. Westmeath. (Roscommon Herald 18/3/10, pp.1,13; Roscommon Champion 17/3/10, p. 2).

Over 150 people attended a meeting last Friday at which a committee was set up to discuss future actions over a proposed Eircom 25-metre telemast at Donamon, Co. Roscommon. (Roscommon Champion 17/3/10, p. 3).

Over 400 objections have been received by Kildare County Council to a proposal by M&M Coldstores to site a bioenergy plant at a quarry in Kerdiffstown, Co. Kildare. (Leinster Leader 18/3/10, p. 1).

A public meeting in Foynes, Co. Limerick, on proposals by Greenmount Environmental for a composting/biogas facility at the harbour, currently on appeal to An Bord Pleanala by Foynes Community Council, heard mixed views from community members, some welcoming the proposed jobs, others expressing safety concerns. (Limerick Leader 20/3/10, p. 10).

Shannon Development officials and local politicians have expressed concerned over ‘delays’ in the ‘fast-track’ planning process for Shannon LNG’s proposed gas terminal. The final planning hurdle is represented by the need for a foreshore licence, a decision on which is expected by the end of the month. (Kerryman (sic) 17/3/10, p. 7).

Residents of western Mullingar have expressed anger over a proposal by Westmeath County Council to zone Forest Park Industrial Estate for ‘bad beighbour’ industry or ‘dirty industry’. (Westmeath Examiner 20/3/10, p.1).