A waste management firm in Keady has been found in breach of environmental regulations after inspectors discovered thousands of tonnes of excess material stored at its site.
Natural World Products (NWP), which operates a recycling and composting facility on the outskirts of the town, has been served with an enforcement notice by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
An enforcement notice is issued when a company is judged to have broken environmental legislation or the conditions attached to its permit.
According to NIEA, inspections carried out this year found waste volumes on the Keady site significantly above what is allowed under its site management plan. A report in September identified an additional 6,500 to 7,000 tonnes of material being stored there.
The action by the regulator follows long-running complaints from local residents about odours and other impacts from the facility.
Aontú Armagh representative Daniel Connolly has now called for urgent improvements at the site, citing excessive waste storage, persistent smells and inadequate pest control.
Inspectors found up to 7,000 tonnes of waste above permitted storage levels at the facility, while residents have been reporting problems with odours for months.
Mr Connolly, a Keady native and father of three daughters, said: “People in Keady have been putting up with these smells for far too long. Nobody should have to live with that around their home.
“I welcome the enforcement notice. It’s a step in the right direction, but people deserve to know when the problems will actually be resolved.
“And more importantly, when will residents actually see – and smell – a difference?
“I’m calling on the Environment Agency and DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to make sure this notice leads to real improvements, and that local residents are kept informed.”
Connolly said the situation at the plant highlighted a wider pattern of issues in the town that he believes are not being properly addressed.
“I grew up in Keady. It’s where my wife and I are raising our three daughters, and I’m proud to call it home.
“I’ve been raising concerns about street lighting, potholes, overgrown public spaces, antisocial behaviour, vandalism and the neglect of historic buildings like the Old Mill.
“These might seem like small things individually, but together they make a big difference to people’s everyday lives.
“The message I keep hearing is the same. People love Keady. They want to see it getting the care, investment and attention it deserves.
“And there’s so much to be positive about. We’ve brilliant local businesses, wonderful families, a proud history and a community that genuinely cares about its town.
“As a father and teacher, I want every child in Keady to grow up somewhere safe, welcoming and full of opportunity.
“Keady doesn’t need anybody to rescue it. We’ve already got the people, the pride and the potential. We just need the investment and determination to match.
“It’s time to clear the air, roll up our sleeves and give Keady the future it deserves.”
Responding to the NIEA action, a spokesperson for NWP said: “NWP is working constructively with relevant authorities to address a backlog of in-process material at its facility in Keady, County Armagh, following operational challenges caused by severe weather earlier this year.
“The company is committed to resolving the issues outlined by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and continuing to deliver sustainable, long-term waste management services to local authorities.”
