Riverdale rubble 'ideal to fill in roundabout'

Ald Danny O’Connor wants the Riverdale spoil to be dumped at the Redlands roundabout, where Larne Borough Council is keen to establish a landmark feature and needs up to 8,000 tonnes of inert material to raise the level of the ground surrounded by the traffic feature.

At present, the massive roundabout – one of the first sights visitors see after disembarking from the ferry – is a “real eyesore” and “basically a landfill site”, Cllr Andy Wilson reminded colleagues at their monthly meeting.

The UUP representative asked for a progress report on the in-filling scheme and heard from director of environmental services Phillip Thompson that the council would soon be in a position to lodge a planning application. If the proposal is approved, the local authority will then ask the Northern Ireland Environment Agency for a licence permitting tipping of inert waste.

In answer to Cllr Wilson, Mr Thompson indicated that the council could dump some of its own waste at the site and save 6 per tonne in Landfill Tax.

“Currently, we dispose of around 2,000 tonnes of inert material per year,” the director explained. “At that rate it would take up to three years to fill it in.”

Mr Thompson added: “We hope, however, that more material will come on line from other developments in the town.”

Ald O’Connor said an opportunity had been missed when tonnes of soil and clay were removed from Seacourt in preparation for the artificial playing pitch there. But he reckoned there were even more copious amounts of spoil to be had in the future.

“Could we investigate if there is the possibility of concrete etc from Gardenmore House being used when it is demolished?” he asked.

“The income the council would derive from it would help to pay for the reinstatement of the roundabout,” the SDLP councillor suggested.