Sewage plant “not likely” to affect environment

In March 2011 the planning service determined that the sludge processing plant just outside Limavady, described as “foul smelling” by concerned locals, was not likely to have a significant impact on the environment.

Just six months later, the plant had been issued with a notice by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) stating that its operating licence was to be revoked for processing more than the permitted amounts of human waste.

Concerned locals formed a campaign group aimed at opposing an application for full planning permission. ‘Roe Action Against Sludge Plant’, headed up Danny Holmes, opposed the application for its impact on the environment, foul odour and potential to cause traffic problems.

Danny Holmes described the smell emanating from the site as “nauseating and vile” in one among hundreds of objection letters.

Back in February last year, an application for full planning permission for the ‘sludge storage and processing plant’ on the Broad Road between Limavady and Coleraine was received by planners.

The following month, in March 2011, the case officer looking into the application determined that an Environmental Impact Assessment was not needed. The case officer wrote: “It is perceived that any likely environmental effects can be adequately dealt with through the normal development control procedure and consultation process.”

Just six months later, in December 2011 the Northern Ireland Environment Agency had issued the plant with a notice suspending their operating licence.

Speaking at the time, Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: “Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has become aware upon receipt of site operator returns that the company has, on a number of occasions, received and treated more than the permitted 250 tonnes of sludge per day

“The agency had previously warned the company about breaching this condition and advised them that further breaches could result in the suspension or revocation of their licence.

“NIEA has decided to revoke the mobile treatment licence for the site. The revocation notice was issued on December 7, 2011 and will come into effect on January 4, 2012.

“After this date there will be no waste licence or site specific working plan for this waste facility and any waste activities undertaken would be considered as illegal and liable to enforcement action.”

The application for full planning permission for the site has since been refused on environmental and traffic control grounds.