Inquiry into land deal after illegal dumping

AN INQUIRY has been ordered into a proposed land purchase deal between Roadstone and a local authority which is probing illegal dumping on part of the land.

Environment Minister Dick Roche ordered the investigation after discovering Wicklow County Council was seeking to buy a site at Glending, Blessington from Roadstone, despite being involved in protracted legal wrangles with the company over illegal dumping in the area.

Mr Roche’s officials confirmed the move yesterday, saying a letter had been sent to the county council demanding a full explanation and justification for the proposed purchase.

The Minister is particularly concerned that the site is earmarked for a water storage facility given that the waste dumped on Roadstone lands has already contaminated a local water source.

“I’m absolutely appalled that this site has been chosen when other sites, not mired in controversy, were available,” said Mr Roche.

Roadstone has always denied any knowledge of the illegal dumping which took place on parts of its extensive lands and quarries in West Wicklow. A garda investigation is ongoing.

The site sought by Wicklow County Council is close to an area where tens of thousands of tonnes of illegal waste was discovered. It has not yet been resolved what should be done with the waste or how the lands should be restored.

Roadstone has applied for a licence to convert the illegal dump into a legal facility but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave a provisional refusal in July this year. Roadstone was allowed object to the refusal and a final decision is due next month.

Roadstone confirmed that negotiations had taken place.

A spokesman said: “There was an expression of interest in a property from Wicklow County Council and exploratory talks have taken place with Wicklow County Council but they have not proceeded to any offer.”

It had been expected Minister Roche’s inquiry would be raised at yesterday’s monthly meeting of the county council but the subject was not reached as the elected members became involved in a lengthy debate over another contentious issue, development levies. West Wicklow councillor, Edward Timmins, said it was known that council officials were trying to upgrade the water supply in Blessington and needed land for infrastructure. The fast-growing town is located beside the Blessington lakes reservoirs which serve much of Dublin but receives none of its supply from that source.

“Management will have to prepare a report on the issue for us. Presumably consultants recommended these lands for purchase and until we know why and what their thinking was, there is no point in creating hot air about it.”

No spokesperson for the council was available.