Waterford waste plan hit by EPA decision

WATERFORD’S waste management plan was thrown into chaos at the weekend following the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to refuse a licence for a proposed landfill outside Dungarvan.

The decision, which has shocked the management of both the city and county council, could have serious implications for householders as the council has been forced to offset the cost of exporting its waste to other counties.

When the county council was finally given the go ahead by Bord Pleanála after years of controversy and legal challenges, it seemed that the development would at last proceed.

However, the EPA’s ruling has been described as ‘a devastating setback’ by council management.

In citing a number of reasons for its decision to refuse the waste treatment licence, the EPA ruled the area of Garrynagree is one of high amenity and that the proposed landfill could seriously impact on the rich nearby Lickey river. The local authority has 28 days to appeal the decision.

The local Lickey Concern Group which opposed the location of the 50-acre site last night welcomed the decision.

However, the mayor of Co Waterford, Ger Barron, said the EPA decision is a bad blow to the county council which has been looking for a site on which to develop a much needed landfill since 1998.

“We felt that we had picked the proper site at Garrynagree, and we are surprised and disappointed with the EPA decision,” the mayor said.

Waterford is without a landfill following the closure of the one in Tramore last month and before that the one in Dungarvan.

This year, the council has been forced to transport its waste to Carlow.

Controversially the county manager, Ray O’Dwyer, has used his legal powers to introduce a new annual flat charge of €150 per household to part fund those costs and other expenditures under its waste disposal programme. He is also proposing a €130 charge on households in Dungarvan town.