Plans afoot to build maggot factory in Midlands beauty spot 2005-04-29

The proposed waste recovery factory may now be built on lands owned by local singing celebrity, Joe Dolan and band leader, Ben, at Johnstown, Slanemore, Mullingar.

The factory will turn waste into compost by using millions of slimy worms. The facility will be limited at first to taking in 2,080 tonnes of waste per annum, but we fear that this will soon afterwards be expanded to capitalise on vast profits to be made from waste nowadays.

We fear a nightmare scenario – with heavy vehicles clogging up our narrow rural roads, and obnoxious odours, noise, vermin, pollution of air and water – all posing health and safety risks. Residents are desperately worried about what the future holds for ourselves and our families.

The decision to grant planning permission has greatly angered the Slanemore Environmnt Protection Group (SPEG). The group cites the Board's recent refusal to allow the expansion of a similar factory which is causing a severe nuisance to residents of Rathcabbin, Co Tipperary, who have to endure increased heavy traffic and horrendous odours from this vermi-composting plant.

The Rathcabbin residents described the smell as an "obnoxious, all pervading odour" extending, depending on wind direction, for an 8 mile radius.

Two inspectors from An Bord Pleanála arrived at differing conclusions in relation to odour control, with the Inspector for the Slanemore application stating that "the nature of the development does present issues in relation to odour and dust mitigation, and the enclosing of processes will assist in this regard", while the Inspector for the Rathcabbin application considered that there should be "certainty" in relation to odour emission. She was not convinced that odours could be controlled effectively at the Rathcabbin factory. She stated: "In my opinion, the emission of odours is perhaps one of the most problematic aspects and I consider that the applicant has not submitted a convincing argument that odours can be minimised or that mitigation measures would be effective."

On the day of her inspection, this inspector noted an odour at the site and along the public road, which she described as "pungent", and "quite distinct from that which would normally be associated with agricultural activities".

The Slanemore residents are outraged at what they perceive as An Bord Pleanála and Westmeath County Council's total disregard for their community, particularly An Bord Pleanála's Inspector's comment that "the development must be considered in the context that it is a rural area where odours from agricultural activities occur".

"We have been totally let down by our local Council, An Bord Pleanála and TDs. They have shown a total lack of concern for our community and our environment," said another resident.

John Fitzgerald

Kilkenny

Aideen Yourell is PRO of the Slanemore Environment Protection Group