News from down the country

national | environment | news report Monday December 14, 2009 16:44 by Contaminated Crow

A quarry, a technology park, a mast, a recycling centre and turf cutting

Clare County Council has refused Lagan Bitumen Ltd. planning permission for a 45-acre quarry at Ardkearney, Ruan, Co. Clare, which had been supported by a number of 'phantom people'. (Clare People 8/12/09, p. 10).

An Bord Pleanala has refused Glashroonan Ltd. planning permission for a research and technology park in association with NUI Maynooth at Carton Demesne, near Maynooth, Co. Meath, after permission granted by Meath County Council was appealed by An Taisce. (Meath Chronicle 12/12/09, p. 3).

Following Clare County Council's granting of planning permission to ESB Telecoms for a 33-metre high mast at Ballykeelaun, Parteen, Co. Clare, the ESB has agreed not to go ahead with the permitted location and submit an application again for another nearby location in response to local concerns. (Clare Champion 11/12/09, p. 16)

An Bord Pleanala has granted permission for a change of use of the former Asahi chemical site at Killale, Co. Mayo, to a waste recycling centre, a proposal which had been opposed by local residents and the Asahi Development Committee. (Western People 8/12/09, p. 12).

Following a meeting bertween the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA) and the IFA, the committee is to examine claims that domestic truf cutting damages bogs through examining maps of the affected bogs, amending the terms of reference of the advisory group report to the Minister for the Environment to include scientific evidence from the TCCA and the IFA and recommending the Minister respond to all submissions made through the advisory group. Joe Devery of the Creggan/Crosswood Turfcutters Association told the meeting 'We have been trying to speak to the Minister, Deputy Gormley, for almost three years but he has not come to the table... We have been asking for the scientific report since 2007 but we have not received it. I wish the committee good luck in trying to get the maps [of the affected bogs] from the Minister. We have had no success.' (Westmeath Independent 12/12/09, p. 9). Meanwhile, over 200 people attended a public meeting called by the TCCA in Rooskey, Co. Roscommon recently in opposition to the proposed partial ban on turf cutting. (Longford Leader 11/12/09, p. 14)