Tuesday 25th November is the date that An Bord Pleanala is expected to announce its decision on the proposed Waste Incinerator at Behan’s Quarry on the N7, near Rathcoole Co. Dublin.
It is envisaged that the oral hearings will take place in October /November
Over 290 objections to this project were received by An Bord Pleanala - from local residents, South Dublin County Council, local planning authority, local representatives, business and corporate interests , the horse racing industry, farmers, local developers, National Roads Authority and the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board.
The objection from the NRA (National Roads Authority) is a most powerful and interesting submission.
“On reading this objection alone, I cannot possibly perceive how An Bord Pleanala could grant planning permission for this Waste Incinerator on the N7”, states Liam Mc Dermott, PRO for R.A.I.D. (Rathcoole Against Incinerator Dioxins).
Traffic surveys undertaken by the NRA indicate that HGV’s account for 16.4% of all present traffic on the N7 and as this figure is above the accepted level for motorways of this nature throughout the world, any further increase could cause serious bottlenecks and severe traffic disruption.
The NRA goes on to state that this development proposal should be refused permission as it fails to adequately demonstrate how the resulting traffic will be accommodated by the road network. The developers, Energy Answers, have made no allowance within their traffic analysis or modelling for the high percentage of HGV traffic currently utilizing the N7. The NRA note that the assessment by Energy Answers shows anticipated road capacity to be significantly over- estimated and their development proposals therefore create a real risk of congestion on the N7.
The NRA also state that the development proposal should be refused on two further grounds – (a) Insufficient detail has been presented to demonstrate that the road safety issues raised in The Road Safety audit have been addressed. Furthermore, the NRA is of the view that other safety issues are in evidence at this location and have not been addressed e.g.
The gradient of the access and exit roads.
High risk of serious accidents on the N7.
Inadequate drainage provision.
Excessive dust/debris being carried onto the N7 from the quarry site.
No advanced warning signs. (b) The development access may be premature pending the determination of road upgrade proposals for this section of the N7. Interestingly, this is also a concern of the chief planning officer for South Dublin Council who has also submitted a detailed objection to this development.
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board has also lodged a very serious objection to a Waste Incinerator at Behan’s Quarry. Their objection points to the fact that the proposed development is located within the catchment area of the river Griffeen. The Griffeen river is exceptional among most urban river systems in the area . It supports migratory sea trout in the lower stretches of the river while it also supports resident brown trout throughout. Salmonoid water constraints apply to any development site and drain to the river network. Only clean, uncontaminated water should leave the development site and drain to the river network.
The planning application for this development does not deal adequately with the monitoring of waste water.
In their submission, The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board ask : How will waste water from the Truck/Vehicle wash area be disposed of , particularly as it will contain detergent and other chemicals ?
How will waste water from the hardstanding area used for the drying and curing of the concrete blocks be disposed of?
Has there been any assessment made of the impact of all wastewaters that will flow into the Griffeen water system?
They further state that the Foul Water treatment system proposed is a pumped water system. There are no precautions put in place in the planning application to deal with such problems as pump failure.
The location and availability of suitable landfills for the disposal of boiler aggregate and Fly Ash (highly toxic and does not biodegrade – that means it does not break down into a simple, harmless product) is not addressed in the planning application for this development.
The R.A.I.D. (Rathcoole Against Incinerator Dioxins) Committee has also submitted a very detailed objection to a Waste Incinerator in Rathcoole and it has engaged a formidable team of legal, planning and scientific experts to represent them at the forthcoming Oral Hearing. To pay for costs that will be incurred, they have organized some fund-raising activities, including a Golf Classic in Killeen Golf Club (in Co. Kildare but close to Rathcoole) on Friday 17th October next. Any member of the public who wishes to provide some sponsorship for this event may contact any committee member in Rathcoole, including the PRO, Liam Mc Dermott.
The fall-out from any Waste Incinerator affects a 30- 35 mile radius and it is therefore important to realise that a Waste Incinerator in Rathcoole – on the edge of Dublin city and close to counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow - will affect all human, animal and wild life in those areas.
Liam Mc Dermott PRO for RAID
Showing posts with label Incinerator. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Incinerator. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS? - LOCK UP YOUR WINDOWS!
Henry Fielding’s hit musical, “Lock Up Your Daughters” comes to mind when one is made aware of the proposed plans for a Waste Incinerator at Behan’s Quarry, 3 km south of Rathcoole on the N7. The planning application was made by US company Energy Answers. Oral hearings for this planning application will take place in The Green Isle Hotel on Wednesday 12th November and with 280 objections, it is expected that they will last for several weeks.
In a detailed 32 page submission by the Dublin Regional Authority, they point out that the escape of strong odours from the proposed facility will impinge greatly on the residents of the local area. The Authority’s very well researched statement points out that SEMASS, the company who will operate the plant, ‘has experienced persistent complaints regarding odours from another facility that they operate in the USA – these odours are believed to be associated with the shredding operation’. Although the use of odour suppression to alleviate these smells have been used, more permanent technologies may be required to guarantee cleaner air in the vicinity of a waste incinerator site. These technologies will incur significant additional expenditure and there is no evidence that this technology is yet available or invented.
So, if An Bord Pleanala grants Energy Answers planning permission to build a waste incinerator in Behan’s Quarry , on the edge of Dublin city on the N7, the thousands of motorists who use this roadway will not be requested to lock up their daughters, but instead, Lock Up Your Windows . The odours will be unbearable. And what about local residents ? They will have to lock up all their windows – in homes and in their vehicles. Considering that the Kill Landfill site is 8 km from Rathcoole, odours from this facility reach the village of Rathcoole on a regular basis. This very serious point will be debated by many of the objectors at the hearing.
Noise levels and visual impact from the proposed site will degrade the social fabric of communities for miles around. The Dublin Regional Authority further add in their report that Energy Answers propose to incinerate 1000 tons of waste per day, which they assume will result that the facility will be in operation 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year. For thousands of households that, of course will mean, lock up your windows 365 days a year !
Planning approval has already been granted to Dublin City Council, on behalf of all four authorities, (The Dublin Regional Authority) for the construction of the Waste Incinerator facility in Minister Gormley’s own constituency on the Poolbeg Peninsula. The Dublin Regional Authority remind us that this approval was sought on the basis that the four authorities had agreed that this development would be the Region’s sole Waste Incinerator facility. The construction of another waste incinerator at a location identified as unsuitable by all four authorities is clearly contrary to this policy objective.
It must be noted that personnel from The Dublin Regional Authority have visited some of Semass plants in the US and they have noted concern in their submission that frequent fires and explosions have occurred in the waste processing areas. Imagine a fire adjacent to the N7? And the Dioxin emissions? Most likely the N7 would be closed down for at least 24 hours. “On this basis alone, it is difficult to imagine An Bord Pleanala granting planning permission for a Waste Incinerator facility to be built at Behan’s Quarry on the N7”, cites Liam Mc Dermott, PRO for Rathcoole Against Incinerator Dioxins (R.A.I.D.)
We are aware that Energy answers sold its waste incinerator assets last year to a company called Covanta . And now The Dublin Regional Authority engineers are concerned that Energy Answers is a shell organization with limited planning, technical, operational and commercial expertise or experience.
The Dublin Regional Authority also mention other concerns such as the air quality and the disposal of the thousands of tons of toxic ash that such a facility would create every year.
Both the National Roads Authority (NRA) the Dublin Regional Authority have grave concerns about the extra traffic that such a large Waste Incinerator plant as this would cause. The NRA say in their submission that such extra traffic would result in traffic congestion and major accidents could occur at the entrance/exit to Behan’s Quarry site on the N7.
In a submission by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, they point out that the proposed development is in the catchment area of the nearby Griffeen river. This river supports migratory sea trout in its lower stretches and resident brown trout throughout. Contaminated water from a Waste Incinerator would cause great damage to the continued life of these fish.
Other strong objections were received by An Bord Pleanala from many Residents and Residents’ Associations in the surrounding areas.
Objections were also received from The Irish Aviation Authority, An Taisce, The Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Rathcoole Heritage Society, Cavan Developments Bloodstock, Goffs Bloodstock Agency, Horse trainer Ted Walsh, Punchestown and Naas Racecourses, Kill International Equestrian Centre, Kill, Irish Thoroughbreed Association, Lamberton Properties, Mc Hale Hire, Kildare County Council Planning Section, Dublin City Council Waste Service Division, The Native Woodland Trust , elected members of Dail Eireann and many local county councilors.
In the eyes of many professionals it is very difficult to comprehend planning approval for this project getting the go ahead. If planning is given it will be a matter of Locking Up Your Windows permanently.
Liam Mc Dermott PRO for RAID (Rathcoole Against Incinerator Dioxins)
In a detailed 32 page submission by the Dublin Regional Authority, they point out that the escape of strong odours from the proposed facility will impinge greatly on the residents of the local area. The Authority’s very well researched statement points out that SEMASS, the company who will operate the plant, ‘has experienced persistent complaints regarding odours from another facility that they operate in the USA – these odours are believed to be associated with the shredding operation’. Although the use of odour suppression to alleviate these smells have been used, more permanent technologies may be required to guarantee cleaner air in the vicinity of a waste incinerator site. These technologies will incur significant additional expenditure and there is no evidence that this technology is yet available or invented.
So, if An Bord Pleanala grants Energy Answers planning permission to build a waste incinerator in Behan’s Quarry , on the edge of Dublin city on the N7, the thousands of motorists who use this roadway will not be requested to lock up their daughters, but instead, Lock Up Your Windows . The odours will be unbearable. And what about local residents ? They will have to lock up all their windows – in homes and in their vehicles. Considering that the Kill Landfill site is 8 km from Rathcoole, odours from this facility reach the village of Rathcoole on a regular basis. This very serious point will be debated by many of the objectors at the hearing.
Noise levels and visual impact from the proposed site will degrade the social fabric of communities for miles around. The Dublin Regional Authority further add in their report that Energy Answers propose to incinerate 1000 tons of waste per day, which they assume will result that the facility will be in operation 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year. For thousands of households that, of course will mean, lock up your windows 365 days a year !
Planning approval has already been granted to Dublin City Council, on behalf of all four authorities, (The Dublin Regional Authority) for the construction of the Waste Incinerator facility in Minister Gormley’s own constituency on the Poolbeg Peninsula. The Dublin Regional Authority remind us that this approval was sought on the basis that the four authorities had agreed that this development would be the Region’s sole Waste Incinerator facility. The construction of another waste incinerator at a location identified as unsuitable by all four authorities is clearly contrary to this policy objective.
It must be noted that personnel from The Dublin Regional Authority have visited some of Semass plants in the US and they have noted concern in their submission that frequent fires and explosions have occurred in the waste processing areas. Imagine a fire adjacent to the N7? And the Dioxin emissions? Most likely the N7 would be closed down for at least 24 hours. “On this basis alone, it is difficult to imagine An Bord Pleanala granting planning permission for a Waste Incinerator facility to be built at Behan’s Quarry on the N7”, cites Liam Mc Dermott, PRO for Rathcoole Against Incinerator Dioxins (R.A.I.D.)
We are aware that Energy answers sold its waste incinerator assets last year to a company called Covanta . And now The Dublin Regional Authority engineers are concerned that Energy Answers is a shell organization with limited planning, technical, operational and commercial expertise or experience.
The Dublin Regional Authority also mention other concerns such as the air quality and the disposal of the thousands of tons of toxic ash that such a facility would create every year.
Both the National Roads Authority (NRA) the Dublin Regional Authority have grave concerns about the extra traffic that such a large Waste Incinerator plant as this would cause. The NRA say in their submission that such extra traffic would result in traffic congestion and major accidents could occur at the entrance/exit to Behan’s Quarry site on the N7.
In a submission by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, they point out that the proposed development is in the catchment area of the nearby Griffeen river. This river supports migratory sea trout in its lower stretches and resident brown trout throughout. Contaminated water from a Waste Incinerator would cause great damage to the continued life of these fish.
Other strong objections were received by An Bord Pleanala from many Residents and Residents’ Associations in the surrounding areas.
Objections were also received from The Irish Aviation Authority, An Taisce, The Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Rathcoole Heritage Society, Cavan Developments Bloodstock, Goffs Bloodstock Agency, Horse trainer Ted Walsh, Punchestown and Naas Racecourses, Kill International Equestrian Centre, Kill, Irish Thoroughbreed Association, Lamberton Properties, Mc Hale Hire, Kildare County Council Planning Section, Dublin City Council Waste Service Division, The Native Woodland Trust , elected members of Dail Eireann and many local county councilors.
In the eyes of many professionals it is very difficult to comprehend planning approval for this project getting the go ahead. If planning is given it will be a matter of Locking Up Your Windows permanently.
Liam Mc Dermott PRO for RAID (Rathcoole Against Incinerator Dioxins)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Irish Times article 22 July 2008
Incinerator plan raises pollution and traffic fears
Report by MARTIN RYANAN INCINERATOR which is proposed for the Rathcoole area of south Co Dublin has become the subject of significant protest and criticism among local residents.
An application was lodged with An Bord Pleanála last May by a US company, Energy Answers International.
It is seeking permission to construct the facility at a place known locally as Behan's Quarry, close to the main Naas Road/N7 motorway.
The planning application comes under the Strategic Infrastructure Bill 2006 which enables the fast-tracking of planning applications for projects deemed to be of a particular infrastructural significance, and as such bypasses any requirement to go through the local council's planning procedure.
The proposal has met with criticism from South Dublin County Council, and was strongly opposed at last week's council meeting, according to Cllr John Hannon (FF), who said there was a broad cross-party objection to the proposal.
Martin Judge from the council's planning department said they have undertaken a study of the likely effects of the incinerator, and the subsequent report unequivocally advised against any support for such a facility.
He said "the council has submitted objections to the planning application on the basis that the proposal does not comply with the Dublin regional waste management plan, and also because of concerns over the expected traffic problems which will be generated by the facility".
Local objections in Rathcoole are being led by a group called Rathcoole Against Incinerator Dioxins (Raid), which has held a series of public meetings in the area in the past few weeks.
Liam McDermott, secretary of Raid, said "our information is that the emissions likely to come out of this facility represent a danger to thousands of people in the surrounding area when the prevailing wind distributes them".
He said "the local environment for miles around will be polluted consistently for years".
"It should be considered that this area includes an equine industry worth in excess of €1 billion per year, as well as the Poulaphouca reservoir which in only six miles away from the site," he said.
Ted Walsh, one of the leading horse trainers in Ireland, has his business located within four miles of the proposed incinerator site, and has also objected strongly to the planning application.
He said an incinerator in that location, with the winds blowing in every direction, is likely to spread ash across the countryside and affect the quality of grazing for horses.
"Obviously, the effects on people is the most important thing, but Kildare is a great county for horses, with studs and farms that have produced Grand National and Gold Cup winners, and to have something like this built a few miles up the road would be a disaster."
Gerry O'Sullivan of Energy Answers International said the proposed facility was of huge importance and "would be capable of handling 365,000 tonnes of residual municipal waste per year, and would produce enough energy to power over 43,000 homes in the Dublin area".
He said Energy Answers International believed there was no basis to concerns over a significant increase in traffic in the area.
"The facility would be constructed within the quarry site, selected as the most appropriate location because it is close to existing waste-management infrastructure and transport routes," he said.
"It will have a dedicated exit from the N7, and as far as we are concerned there are no significant implications for local traffic in the area."
Mr O'Sullivan said "Energy Answers International has an open office on this matter, and is happy to discuss the matter and allay any concerns".
Tomorrow is the last day for objections to the planning permission application with An Bord Pleanála.
A final decision is expected towards the end of this year.
© 2008 The Irish Times
Friday, July 18, 2008
Update from RAID on Opposition to the Incinerator 16 July 2008
RAID had another successful meeting in Rathcoole Community School on Wednesday 16th July. Over 200 people attended the meeting, including many of the local Councillors and Senator, which was called to update the residents of the progress made so far. Some of the main points that came out of the meeting were;
- Objection prepared by planning consultants is complete and will be lodged today Friday 18th of July
- We hope to focus our attention on intensifying the media coverage over the next couple of weeks
- We have made contact with a number of other anti-incineration groups with a view to sharing information and strengthen the collective efforts of all the individual groups
- Fundraising will be a priority in the coming weeks to ensure that sufficient funds are available to pay the experts required at the oral hearing. Many of these experts will give of their time freely but others will require payment. An oral hearing will continue for weeks.
- We want to remind people that the deadline for objecting is July 23rd and draft letters of objection are available on the web site and at the Rathcoole Community Centre.
- It was noted that South Dublin County Council’s manager has recommended refusal of this project with the backing of all the local Councillors. It was emphasised that An Bord Pleanala (ABP) have the power to over-rule the manager’s decision citing ‘Government Policy’ as a reason to grant permission. Therefore we urge everyone to firstly object to ABP to show the ground swell of support for RAID and secondly to lobby the politicians who can influence government policy.
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