Waste company to appeal planning decision
Advanced Environmental Solutions (AES) wants to develop a composting unit in Portlaw which would take in municipal wet waste and convert it into a valuable odour-free compost.
On December 6, Waterford County Council confirmed it had refused permission for the facility.
An Bord Pleanála yesterday confirmed no appeal has yet been received. But a spokesman for the company said they plan to lodge their appeal today or Monday.
The company has until January 12 to appeal.
The development was given the thumbs down by the council on two grounds. The first is that it was considered premature in the context of the South East Waste Management Plan.
The second was that without a composting facility, the company could not deal with the residual sludge from the process.
Environmental director at AES, Dr John MacNamara, had said before Christmas the company was still considering its position.
But in a statement last night, the company confirmed it would be appealing to An Bord Pleanála.
There had been much local opposition to the plan for the facility at the old Michel Ireland plant. At least 37 objections were sent in to the county council and more than 100 people took part in a protest at the site during the summer.
The Suir Valley Environmental Group was among those to object. Its spokesman, David Kane, said people power had won out when the council turned down the plan.
What action objectors will take if the board gives the project the green light remains to be seen.
