Disappointment as compost facility gets go-ahead

AN ENVIRONMENTAL company that was refused planning for a compost facility in west Waterford has been given the green light by An Bord Pleanála.

Advanced Environmental Solutions (AES Ltd) is to develop the facility at the site of the former Michell Ireland plant outside Portlaw. The Kildare-based company has, however, been refused permission for the second element of the project, a waste-water treatment plant on-site, as part of the same decision. The company has not yet commented on the decision.

The developers were notified Tuesday, as were a local residents group, The Suir Valley Environmental Group, which had originally opposed the waste facility.

AES Ltd was previously refused planning permission by Waterford County Council but opted for an appeal to the higher planning authority. The SVEG had sent a submission to An Bord Pleanála asking for permission to be refused.

Portlaw resident and SVEG member Frances Power said they were obviously “disappointed” that permission had been granted for the composting facility but were pleased the waste-water plant had been thrown out.

She said if problems did develop down the line with odours, they would not take the matter lying down.

Waterford County Council had turned down plans for the facility on the basis that they contravened a South East Waste Management Plan and a sludge management plan issued by themselves.