Tuesday 25 November 2008

Plans for Kerry waste facility running into opposition

PLANS to build a new waste facility on a 12-acre site along the main Tralee/Killarney road are running into opposition.

Kerry Central Recycling Facility Ltd has lodged a planning application with Kerry County Council in respect of the site at Scart/Caherdean, about 3km on the Killarney side of Farranfore village.

Local residents last night attended an information meeting on the proposal.

Independent councillor Brendan Cronin, who represents the area, has already lodged an objection to the application. “I believe this site is totally unsuitable for any kind of waste facility,” he said.

Mr Cronin said the site was on the N22 national primary road and extra vehicle movement generated by its development would create a serious traffic hazard. “The site is just not right for many reasons. For instance, there are private houses within 80m and residential property in the wider area would be totally devalued.”

Pointing out that Kerry Airport was close to the site, he also claimed there would be aviation risk issues as birds were drawn to waste facilities.

Already, there have been extensive pre-planning discussions between the developers and council officials in relation to the site.

Planning is being sought for a materials recovery building, an office building and a public recycling centre. An application for a waste licence is being made to the Environment Protection Agency.

Consulting engineers Paudie O’Mahony and Associates, of Killarney, have already made a submission to the council seeking the rezoning of a site, midway between Tralee, Killarney and Castleisland, for modern waste recycling facilities.

In a submission to the draft county development plan 2009-2015, they said the site would be most suitable for the purpose, adding they had “positive responses” from meetings with council officials.

However, the council has recommended that there be no changing to the zoning in the area.

Irish Examiner

www.buckplanning.ie

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