Company refused planning for recycling plant

A WASTE treatment company which wanted to develop a recycling plant in Co Waterford has been refused planning.

Advanced Environmental Solutions (AES) wanted to develop a composting unit in Portlaw which would take in municipal, wet waste and, through a composting process, convert it into a valuable odour-free compost.

But Waterford County Council refused permission for the facility on two grounds.

The first is that it was considered premature in the context of the South East Waste Management Plan.

The second ground for refusal 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 would not confirm if the group would now go to An Bord Pleanála and appeal the decision.

“AES are disappointed by the decision from Waterford County Council regarding the planning application for the proposed state-of-the-art composting facility in Portlaw,” Dr MacNamara said in a brief statement.

There had been much local opposition to the plan for the facility at the old Michel Ireland plant in Portlaw. At least 37 objections were sent in to Waterford County Council and over 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 over the facility.

“I think it’s good for people to see that if they participate in the democratic process, things can work out and they can make a difference. It’s an important message to convey to people,” he said.