'Like living in Long Kesh'

That's the view of residents in Craigahulliar, on the outskirts of Portrush, should a planning application for a controversail concrete batching plant get the go ahead.

Speaking exclusively to The Times on Friday, residents said they will be living in an area that resembles a dirty, dark, dusty prison.

Coleraine Borough Council has objected to the application and employed a Planning Consultant to produce a report on the site.

However, a letter from the Minister of the Environment, Edwin Poots to MP Gregory Campbell, stated that Minister Poots, has 'instructed his officials in Planning Service to complete the application'

The letter also stated that the Minister has consulted Road Service over residents' concerns over traffic, but Mr Poots added: "I will not be in a position to overrule them on this matter".

When the letter was read out at last Tuesday night's Council meeting, councillors thought that the application would be passed. Councillors said the Minister had not taken their case into account.

Residents were also scathing in their views of the Minister and claim to have invited him to visit the area on seven different occasions, but he never replied.

A block making plant currently exists on the site, but the residents feel the new concrete facility will make their lives even more difficult.

"We have had to put up with the dump and the block making, now we have this. It just feels like we are stuck out here and no one cares," said Gordon Walker

The Cemex plant is just a stone's throw away from nearby homes and residents fear it will get worse if the concrete plant is agreed.

"The dust is just unbearable, " told Finlay Boreland.

"The plant is meant to be soaked down to prevent any dust, but this doesn't happen very often. Most of us are troubled with chest and breathing problems, and if this concrete plant gets the go ahead it will be worse," claimed Mr Boreland.

"The owners know the regulations, but nothing is done until someone complains about the dust. The noise and traffic is also a problem. The workers have ear muffs and safety gear, yet we are only across the hedge and we have nothing. It's a health and safety issue."

Residents claim that a proposed acoustic barrier, some seven metres high, would suffocate their homes and block light. "It's terrible", said another resident.

Another resident, Ann Taggart, told The Times: "The DUP MLA's and the MP for the area are behind us, yet Minister Poots seems intent on going ahead with this application."

Councillor Christine Alexander, who has built up a close relationship with the residents, added: "These people have absolutely no confidence in the Minister given what is planned for their doorstep.

"Back in 1976 when planning permission was granted for the site as a quarry, the conditions of the temporary planning permission stated that it should be returned to its natural state and all machinery was to be removed. That expired in 1989.

"Up until last year, this plant was running without planning permission, then the Department rubber stamped a Certificate of Lawful Development for the site, you can see why these people are concerned.

"As if these residents didn't have enough to put up with a landfill site and a concrete plant on their doorsteps, it's ridiculous."

Councillor Alexander said that a letter from Council requesting an urgent meeting with the Minister had been sent on Friday morning. Council is currently awaiting a response from the Minister.