Ringsend dump prompts 46 complaints

The complaints over the Craigmore landfill site in Ringsend were recorded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

The agency has carried out 26 site inspections over the past six months.

Equally the Planning Service has carried out two site inspections during the same period. Their findings have resulted in the further investigation of the creation of a large crater at the site.

East Londonderry MLA John Dallat asked Environment Minister Edwin Poots to outline the number and nature of complaints received since the site opened nearly two years ago.

The vast majority of the complaints recorded by NIEA related to odour but litter, out of hours activity, flies, helicopters landing at the site in the middle of the night, lorries speeding and wavering from side to side and lorries transporting "possible animal bones" were also mentioned by anxious members of the public.

A number of NIEA site inspections over the past six months found did find odour on site. In these instances the NIEA advised additional capping and cover or the installation of appropriate gas infrastructure.

On March 8, 2010, for example, a site inspector noted: "Odour detected on site and condensate build up noted in the gas extraction pipework."Odour getting through the cap and more daily cover need on operational cell. Operator acted immediately to clear the condensate build-up. Operator's environmental consultants due on site 10/03/2010 to balance and monitor the gas system."

Under the landfill site's Pollution Prevention Control Permit emissions must be "free from odour at levels likely to cause annoyance outside the Site, as perceived by the Chief Inspector." Since April 2010 there have been no significant instances of non-compliance in relation to odour.

Meanwhile, a boundary fence at the site was partially removed because the operator excavated clay for use as capping material on a closed cell to mitigate odour.

The Minister also explained that the removal of vegetation and the creation of a large crater at Craigmore were also the result of the operator excavating clay for use as capping material on the closed cell.

The Minister was also asked about road safety issues on the Ringsend Road.

He commented: "As a matter of routine, the Planning Service consults DRD's Roads Service on all applications which have a traffic/road safety dimension. Roads Service, in turn, may contact the PSNI.

"My officials will consult with Roads Service on aspects of road safety should an application for other waste management sites in the area be received.

"My executive colleague, Minister Connor Murphy, has advised that, apart from normal consultations with Planning Service on applications for waste management site in the area, Roads Service has had no specific discussions with my Department or the PSNI in relation to waste management operations at Craigmore Road. No operational issues have been raised by either body, directly with Roads Service, in relation to Craigmore Road.

"Minister Murphy has also advised that Roads Service is consulted by Planning Service on applications for waste management sites, with the principle issues of road safety and convenience of road users being paramount in Road's Service's consideration of such applications."