'Huge sense of relief" in Stackallen as composting plant turned down

A decision by Bord Pleanala to turn down an appeal against a decision by Meath County Council to refuse planning permission for a major composting plant at Causestown, Stackallen, has been warmly welcomed by local residents who had mounted a vigorous campaign of opposition against the proposed development. Fine Gael TD Shane McEntee described the proposed development as 'completely unsuitable' in a rural community. A spokesperson for local residents has said that the planning system needed to be changed so that 'it would be clear-cut that projects of this kind could not be considered for imposition on a fragile local environment'. The appeal to An Bord Pleanala had been taken by Joseph McKeever, c/o Stephen Ward, Roden Place, Dundal,k and by Royal Mushrooms Ltd, c/o Declan Brassil and Co, Smithfield, Dublin, against the refusal of planning permission by Meath County Council on 8th April last year. The development was to have comprised the production of three phases of mushroom substrate and all associated development works over an application site of 10.7 hectares. The development - on a site on a road between Gormanlough and Wiggers Cross - was to have comprised five buildings in total. In its decision to refuse the appeal, Bord Pleanala said that it was considered that a buffer zone of a minimum of 200-250 metres was required around a facility such as that proposed in a greenfield location. 'Having regard to the fact that there are a number of dwellings, including Harmonstown House within the required buffer zone, it is considered that the proposed development would seriously injure the residential amenities of adjoining poperties, would be unacceptable on environmental grounds and would therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,' the board said. It added that it was not satisfied the proposals for the provision, collection and use and disposal of process water, including the use and disposal of rainwater, has been property developed so as to demonstrate that it would not result in an unacceptable risk of pollution of the Stackallen Stream. It also said it was not satisfied that the potential impact of ground water abstration had been examined, in particular, on adjoining wells and the Stackallen Stream. On this basis, it would be prejudicial to public health and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Nick Nicholson, PRO of the Stackallen Boyne Action Group, said on behalf of the campaigners that Bord Pleanala"s decision had been greeted by 'a huge sense of relief' in the area. He said that the proposal to build the plant had generated 'an extraordinary coming together of the local community' to oppose the proposal. Mr Nicholson said the group wanted to make it clear that the composting of waste was a good idea, and was entirely necessary, but the plan had been opposed on the grounds that the location was unsuitable. 'This is a fragile rural landscape with a stream running down to the Boyne. It put the whole Boyne Valley in jeopardy. I am glad that Bord Pleanala has seen it that way, too,' he added. Deputy McEntee said: 'Locals in the area have long campaigned that this factory not be built. The proposed location was completely unsuitable and situated in a very rural community. 'The existing road network would have had great difficulty in coping with the scale of the transport operation. I believe factories or developments such as this should be built close to motorways or other main arteries. There were also fears of possible odour problems from ther factory.'