Minister visits sludge plant

A source close to the planning services committee at Limavady Borough Council told the Sentinel he believed a decision was “imminent”. He added that despite the unanimous opposition of two district councils, as well as vociferous opposition from community groups, if the planning application for the site to be re-opened permanently met all planning guidelines, the planning authorities would be left with little choice but to grant approval.

He added, however, that the Environment Minister could still make “a political decision” and step in personally to refuse permission.

The controversial plant, which is on the Broad Road on the way from Coleraine to Limavady, recently lost their licence after processing more than the permitted volumes of human waste.

Opposition to the plant re-opening on a permanent basis have centred on the “foul smell emanating from the plant”, which is located in a particularly beautiful area.

DUP MLA for East Londonderry George Robinson has now thanked the Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, for his surprise visit to the site.

Robinson said: “The Minister gave us a couple of hours warning that he would be visiting the proposed site as he was in the area and we gratefully accepted his offer to meet as it fulfilled a promise the Minister had made.

“In attendance with me at the location to meet the Minister were Mr Danny Holmes, Press Officer of RAASP (Roe Action Against Sludge Plant), Councillor Alan Robinson and DUP researcher David Gilmour.

“I was delighted to welcome the Minister who took time on wet, cold and thoroughly miserable day to fulfil the promise he made to visit the location. Having listened intently to everybody I am content that the Minister has taken on board the concerns that have been expressed regarding the site from the people most involved in opposing it.

“I was especially pleased that Mr Holmes headed up the discussions so the Minister could see the depth of feeling among the residents of the area affected by the malodour problem, and their concerns over future environmental damage.

“We can only wait and hope that the fight to oppose the site will be successful, but the opportunity to show the Minister the location of the site in such a scenic spot, how close it is to the main A37 road and the damage that the run off from the road could do to the environment was one I welcomed.

“I sincerely thank the Minister for visiting the location and listening to all the points made directly to him.”

Robinson added that he was: “Appreciative of the opportunity to show the scenic beauty of the location, all be it on a somewhat wet and misty view on Thursdays visit.

“We showed the Minister how close to the A37 the site was and expressed our concerns about this. We also ensured the Minister appreciated the malodour nuisance caused not just to those living locally, but as far as both Limavady and Coleraine where the stench had been noticed.”