Green MLAconcernedover wastere-opening

North down MLA and green party leader Steven Agnew at the green party conference in stranmillis college. picture Mark marlow/pacemaker press

Two weeks ago the Sentinel reported how the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) held preliminary talks with a waste management company about bringing the City Industrial Waste site at Mobuoy Road back into use.

Following the revelation Mr Agnew asked the Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan about the matter and raised questions over “the uncertainty surrounding the serious environmental effects of the illegal activity that has taken place at the site” and “valid planning enforcement notices on the site which have not been met.”

Mr Durkan responded: “NIEA has recently been approached by a waste management company which has expressed an interest in applying for a licence for the site at Mobuoy Road, Campsie, Derry. Initial discussions, which are the norm for waste licence applications, have taken place between NIEA and the company; however no application has as yet been received for the site.

“The Department previously granted planning approval for a waste segregation and re-cycling centre at the City Industrial Waste site. In relation to the City Industrial Waste site, four planning applications were submitted following DOE Planning enforcement action in relation to unauthorised activities.

“On July 17, 2014, the Department made a determination under Regulation 9 of the Planning (EIA) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 that the overall project was EIA development and an Environmental Statement was required.”

Mr Durkan went on to state that the company, which has been in touch with the NIEA, will have to ensure the Faughan is protected if the site is re-opened.

“It has been highlighted to the company that if such an application was to be received for this site, not only would it face the normal stringent process for consideration, it would also have to take account the requirement to remove the significant amount of wastes and polluting matters so that the highest levels of environmental protection are put in place to protect the Faughan River and its local tributaries.

“The Company has been informed from the outset there is no guarantee that any application will be successful.

“The granting of any licence must be conditional to meeting all of the requirements detailed through pre-application discussions. Without this, no licence will be issued. It should be noted that any final decision will require rigorous testing through DSO before a licence is issued, if indeed this is decided, and confirmation that the required planning permissions are in place.

“As the deadline of August 14, 2014 expired and no request for an extension of time was received the above applications were therefore deemed refused. I can confirm this site is currently the subject of live planning enforcement notices,” he stated.