Planning application will seek to increase the footprint of the Knockharley landfill near Kentstown

A PLANNING application seeking permission to increase the footprint of the Knockharley Landfill near Kentstown is due to be lodged with Meath County Council.

Beauparc, the operators of the Knockharley landfill, has issued a statement outlining that it will shortly lodge a planning application which will seek to increase the landfill footprint within the existing site in order to meet Ireland's continued and increasing demand for management. The company is not proposing to increase the annual tonnage allowance of 440kt/year.

"A number of factors including increased population growth, a growing economy, a reduction in waste exports, unplanned outages at a major Waste to Energy Facility, slower than anticipated Solid Recovered Fuel consumption at cement kilns, and expected closures of existing landfill facilities means an expansion of permitted landfill is of strategic importance to ensure that a well-managed waste system is in place to accommodate the needs of the country," the company stated.

"Whilst Ireland has made strides, and continues to make strides, in terms of sustainable waste management, landfilling is still a necessary element of Ireland’s waste management system for waste streams than cannot be recycled or consumed as fuel in waste to energy facilities."

The company outlined that at current rates, Knockharley’s capacity is expected to be full by 2029, three years earlier than previously projected at the time of the last planning application.

A newsletter is being circulated in the area outlining details of the proposal and the reasons behind it.