Residents are being urged to oppose the extension of a landfill site in Tandragee which would, if approved by ABC Council, make it one of the biggest waste sites in Northern Ireland.
A 21-day consultation period for the application at its Aughlish Road site began this week and will conclude on March 12.
The proposal, first lodged by Ark Enviro Ltd in 2022, is for the extension of an existing non-hazardous landfill – effectively making the current site more than three times bigger.
The site in question has caused a stink in the past – quite literally – and has been besieged with environmental questions in recent years.
A public meeting was held back in December 2022 after residents complained of foul smells coming from the site.
It came after months of complaints, so much so that the NI Environment Agency, following site inspections, served an improvement notice on the company running the plant at the time.
Since then, work has been going on behind the scenes to get the necessary paperwork in order to have their plans for the expansion approved by the Council, and that work has ramped up a notch in recent weeks.
But residents have once again kicked up a stink, and according to Councillor Paul Berry, they “will fight tooth and nail” against the plans.
To date, there have been 35 objections, many of which have been lodged this week.
One objector alluded to the smell emanating from the plant in its current guise.
“The planned extension will only exacerbate the problem by an order of magnitude,” they wrote. “Certain studies indicate evidence of adverse health effects with exposure to landfill sites, but there is also the crucial matter of the adverse impact on the amenity of the area for Tandragee residents.
“The stench from the existing site is diabolical… absolutely vile… and, on many occasions, extends right throughout the entire town of Tandragee. It’s never a good morning when I open my front door, 1.5 miles away, only for that smell to make me gag. Will ABC Council do the right thing by Tandragee residents and reject this application?”
The scale of the proposal at the site off the Aughlish Road in Tandragee
Another person wrote: “The proposed site is far too close to the Category B town of Tandragee, which is a highly populated area, comprising primary and secondary schools, leisure facilities, and a high population of families.
“We understand that our waste needs to go somewhere, but this site is far too close to a town that could be negatively impacted by odour, airborne pathogens, degradation of air quality, and pollution of neighbouring farmland.”
One person remarked that, if the plans are approved, it “will have a negative impact on our community for decades to come”.
Another objector commented: “I have lived here for over 20 years and have been able to enjoy the benefits of the countryside and peaceful surroundings, as well as pay substantial rates.
“The environmental impact of this large proposed landfill site would be highly detrimental to the living conditions of this area.”
The objector also spoke of the devaluation of their home and that of neighbours’ homes.
“The quality of our lives will be greatly affected… causing stress and anxiety, and it provides no benefit to our community whatsoever.”
The consultation period concludes on March 12 and will be advertised for the last time next month, after which the Council will make a determination following the return of all consultations.
A planning statement, submitted this week by MBA Planning in response to the Council’s request for Further Environmental Information, suggested that the “proposed development complies with the local development plan, relevant planning policy, and will not cause demonstrable harm to interests of acknowledged importance including habitats, protected species, the landscape, cultural heritage, transportation, and sensitive receptors”.
And, “accordingly, we respectfully request that the Council approve the application.”
You can view the full application here.
