Outrage as waste plant gets go ahead

Dougi McKeown of Beechfield Park, close to the location of the new plant, says he is upset by the Minister’s decision that the energy from waste gasification plant will be built at the site of the former Burnhouse factory on the Moira Road.

It will have the ability to convert 80,000 tonnes of mixed waste into electricity and heat each year.

Mr Mckeown a retired business man says that even after talks with Energos, a supplier of clean energy recovery from waste plants and technology and who will operate the plant, he is still worried about the affect the plant will have on the local environment.

“Is this the Minister’s way of paying back the people of Lisburn for not giving them John Lewis?” asked Mr McKeown.

“If there was a flood at the plant and fermenting waste got into the Lagan it would be an environmental catastrophe. It took 150 years to get salmon back into the Lagan.”

Dougi continued: “We’ve gone from the terrible smells of the Burnhouse years and we don’t want a repeat of this. We are told there won’t be any bad odours but all we have to do is smell waste when it is being transported to know how bad that can be.

“I am very concerned about this.”

Addressing Mr McKeown’s concerns Mr Dawber, Managing Director of Energos said: “The plant operation, including the residual waste reception area is within the building itself. The residual waste is tipped into a bunker and contained within that bunker. This waste reception area section of the building is kept under a slight vacuum and the air drawn in is used in the process. When a door is opened to allow a delivery air enters the building rather than escaping from it. This is very effective at preventing any odours escaping the building and none of the plants we have built have had a problem. As the waste is contained in the bunker and building (and not stored outside) there is no risk of it getting into the river. Deliveries of residual waste are delivered in covered vehicles and covers (where they apply) are removed within the building.”

He added: “It is important that people understand that Energos will have to apply for an Environmental Permit before the plant can be operated on residual waste. This permit is will cover both the design and on-going operations of the plant in all environmental aspects, including emissions to air, odours and any risk to pollution of the ground and water courses around the site. This permit application will be made to the Environment Agency and members of the public will be invited to respond during the consultation phase.”

Mr Dawber continued: “This is an environmentally responsible, community sized solution for local waste that would otherwise fill up landfill sites and emit damaging greenhouse gases. Our technology has the flexibility to accept a variety of wastes to provide an adaptable resource that can cater for changing community requirements over the years. We look forward to working with partners to bring this project to fruition.”

Nick Baston, Planning Manager for Energos commented: “As a ‘nationally significant’ project, the Lisburn facility was subject to determination by the Department of the Environment. The planning service has undertaken a thorough review and we are delighted to have been awarded consent for this strategic site.”

Jonathan Craig MLA said he was deeply disappointed by the Minister’s decision after a long running campaign by local residents. He said that many issues still needed to be addressed regarding traffic impact and previous history of flooding in the area.

Mr Attwood said he backed energy from waste as a way of meeting EU targets and generating sustainable energy.

The minister added: “This facility will provide a boost for the Lisburn area creating construction jobs in the short term and permanent skilled jobs once completed.

“I am a firm supporter of energy from waste opportunities and of alternative, more environmentally sustainable energy plans.

“This facility will deal with our waste, prevent landfill and create renewable energy.”

The plant will operate by heating waste to produce a gas that is used to generate steam.

The steam then drives a turbine that creates electricity