10,000-tonne composter sparks local health fears

Residents in an East Cork village have expressed concerns that plans by a farmer to build a 10,000-tonne organic composting facility on his land could pose a health risk and pollute water in the wider Glanmire area.

According to the residents of Knockraha, research in Germany shows anyone living in a 2km-3km radius of such a plant will be at increased risk of asthma and other chest ailments because of spores and micro organisms released into the atmosphere by the composting.

The locals further claim that, in Britain, such super composters must be 500m from domestic dwellings.

In Knockraha, a hinterland about 5k outside Glanmire, the nearest dwelling is 125m away. The local national school, Scoil Mhuire, is 700m away and the nearest stream is 300m from the 55-acre farm.

This stream flows into the Butlerstown River which continues into the Glashaboy River. Water supply for Glanmire, Riverstown, Brooklodge, Knockraha, and Glouthaune comes from the Glashaboy.

Up to 100 residents attended a public meeting on the matter earlier this week.

One, Noelle Murphy, said: “Active aeration composting is a tricky process in that it has to be turned every so often and it is in this turning that all the micro organisms and spores are released. Other research has shown that people who work in such facilities are at greater risk of lung cancer or what may be called ‘farmers’ lung’. So, you can see why we are all worried about this.”

According to farmer James O’Donovan’s planning application, the Ballynagaul project is “an extension of existing agricultural practices” in his farmyard.

In planning papers, Mr O’Donovan says he will not make any money out of the project but will charge a minor gate fee to those seeking to dispose of green or food waste. Up to 8,000 tonnes of food waste and 2,000 of green waste will be composted at the site. The application says the compost will be spread on Mr O’Donovan’s land to increase the soil’s organic compound.

In his planning application, Mr O’Donovan said “all surface run-off from the composting will be isolated in the farmyard”. He plans to liaise with Cork County Council’s environmental department on how to best collect the surface water.

The planning application, lodged in recent weeks, says there is no need for an environmental impact statement or an integrated pollution prevention and control licence.