News from down the country

national | environment | news report Saturday June 20, 2009 21:45 by Contaminated Crow

A telemast, a quarry, a sludge plant, an incinerator and high-voltage power lines

Local residents, angry at a proposal by Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd. to erect a 20 metre high telemast in Woodfield, Dunmore, Co. Galway, have erected placards opposing the plan and organised a petition which they will submit to the planning authorities this week. (Tuam Herald 18/6/09, p.10).

Leitrim County Council has issued an enforcement notice to Sandalwood Ltd. of Beagh, Drumahair, requiring the company to cease quarrying at an unauthorized quarry at Liscuillew Upper, Drumkeerin, Co. Leitrim, by July 6th and rehabilitate the lands quarried. (Leitrim Observer 19/6/09, pp.1A,8A).

One Bio Ltd. has appealed Ballinasloe Town Council’s refusal of planning permission for its proposed sludge processing plant in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. The appeal is expected to result in an oral hearing, for which the local opposition group, the Ballinasloe Environmental Alliance (BEA), has engaged the services of consultant Jack O’Sullivan, while BEA PRO Paul Madden has met independent MEP Marian Harkin who has promised help on the issue if it needs to be raised in a European context. (Connacht Tribune 19/6/09, p. 7)

North-East Against Incineration is holding a public meeting in Nobber Hall on Thursday 18th June to discuss submissions to An Bord Pleanala in relation to College Proteins’ application for a meat and bonemeal incinerator in Nobber, Co. Meath. (Meath Chronicle 20/6/09, p. 14).

North East Pylon Pressure has blasted EirGrid for a recent press release on Danish plans to underground high-voltage pylons, saying ‘Having lost the public debate about technical feasibility and affordability of underground cables compared with giant pylons and overhead wires, EirGrid has decided to resort to downright lies and distortion.’ (Northern Standard 18/6/09, p. 6; Meath Chronicle 20/6/09, p. 15).