THE owners of a site in the centre of Rathkeale which has been contaminated by a pile of asbestos rubble are facing a clean-up bill of up to €300,000.
It emerged yesterday that Limerick County Council has the power to take over the site and sell it to recover the costs of removing the rubble.
The site of the former People’s Bakery is believed to be worth in the region of €1 million.
Lara Fagan, senior executive environmental scientist with Limerick Co Council said yesterday the local authority was still trying to ascertain who owned the site.
She sid: “Last Friday, we served hand-delivered notices to all who might be owners to come forward with any relevant information.”
She said risk assessmentconsultants brought in by the council confirmed the site is contaminated with various kinds of asbestos.
However, no action will be taken for a number of weeks, she said, until a specialist company is found to remove the asbestos rubble and apply appropriate treatment to the waste before its safe disposal.
It is understood that the site was recently sold by a Rathkeale businessman to a group of local traders.
The new owners engaged a contractor to demolish the building nearly two weeks ago.
Before deciding to raze to the ground the building — which had an asbestos roof — the necessary notification was not given to the Health and Safety Authority.
The safety laws specify that 28 days notice must be given to the Health and Safety Authority when demolition work is to be carried out on a building which has asbestos.
Limerick County Council, which gave planning permission for the demolition of the building only became aware that it had an asbestos roof when contacted by concerned locals after the demolition was completed.
The council immediately alerted the Health and Safety Authority, which sent inspectors to the site.
The council requested units of the fire brigade in west Limerick to hose down the site, fearing that asbestos dust could be blown off the site which is just off the town’s main street.
As plans are now being finalised for the removal and safe disposal of the asbestos rubble, the county council are preparing to bill the owners of the site for the work which will cost in the region of €300,000.
Irish Examiner
No comments:
Post a Comment