Two councils now opposed to sludge plant

Coleraine Borough Council have now followed the precedent set in Limavady as all elected representatives from every party voted against the controversial proposal.

The move has been broadly welcomed in the Roe Valley area by both local councillors and a campaign group dedicated to opposing the waste treatment plant.

The plant, on the A37 Broad Road to Coleraine, was closed down a number of weeks ago for processing more than the 250 tonnes of sludge, including human waste, than was permitted by the Environment Agency.

The application to re-open the plant permanently was revealed first by the Sentinel back in February, although a motion to oppose the application was quickly proposed by DUP councillor Alan Robinson and received unanimous support in Limavady Borough Council.

With Coleraine now following suit, Roe Action Against Sludge Plant (RAASP) have voiced their relief at the decision by saying: “The whole community, both in Coleraine and Limavady, will breathe more easily.”

DUP Councillor Alan Robinson also welcomed the move by his Coleraine counter-parts: “When I presented my notice of Motion to Limavady Borough Council in February it was passed unanimously by council. Now our neighbouring council have expressed the same deep concerns about the impact of this proposed site on the tourist potential, human health and the surrounding environment.

“This move is very welcome and is another substantial move in the opposition to the locating of this site on a permanent basis on the Broad Road site. I especially want to express my thanks to party colleague and Coleraine Councillor, Mark Fielding, for proposing the motion and his resolute support in the campaign.

“The DOE Minister, Alex Attwood, will realise that with two Councils, 37 Councillors from all across the political spectrum and a very active campaign group, that this proposed site is not wanted at the location due to many different and negative impacts it will have.

Robinson added: “On Monday the Minister stated that ‘a unanimous council opposition should have a significant bearing on the thinking of the planning office when it comes to a final determination’, with two local councils now expressing unanimous opposition the weight of the significant bearing I hope will prove to be the death knell of this most contentious of proposals.

“I would however still encourage the Minister follow through on his promise ‘to visit the site because it is a unique planning application in the Northern Ireland system. As a consequence, it might be legitimate for me to view the site in question.’

“When he does visit, I hope those opposed will be afforded the opportunity to explain why they oppose the location of this Human Waste Treatment facility at the proposed location.”

Danny Holmes, speaking on behalf of RAASP, said: “Not just our own group but the majority of people in the community will be grateful to Coleraine Borough Council for their unanimous vote in opposing this planning proposal on the Coleraine – Limavady Road.

“There is no doubt that certain sections of the population whose lives are polluted with the sewage-sludge stenches during the “spreading” season will be more than thankful to the Councillors who have recognised how they have been tortured for prolonged periods with malodours which permeate their homes and which they, for one good reason or another, suspect may not be indicative of good air, good land, good water, good produce and good health.

“The Council obviously views the so-called treatment and spreading of sewage-sludge as a form of environmental pollution and we welcome their discernment and their objections to its usage.”

He added: Finally, the whole community, both in Coleraine and Limavady, will breathe more easily in seeing and hearing this unanimous opposition by both Councils to this planning proposal – Our thanks to you all!”