A recycling sorting facility, which objectors claimed would pollute the Clare River in Co Galway and affect fish stocks, has been given the final planning go-ahead for the outskirts of Tuam town.
Work is expected to begin shortly on the development by WERS Waste at the Tuam Business Park. An Bord Pleanála has upheld the decision by Galway County Council last November to grant planning permission for the facility.
However, a number of strict conditions have been attached, including the banning of all domestic and general refuse trucks and containers from the site, restrictions on noise levels and strict operating times.
A previous application for a very similar proposal was turned down by An Bord Pleanála, which concluded that it was a pollution threat.
But, the board says this latest application has succeeded in addressing its concerns and that the development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area, would not pose a significant risk to ground and surface water in the locality or to the Clare River, and would be in accordance with proper planning and development.
The WERS Waste centre will involve sorting and baling recyclable waste collected from domestic and commercial customers.
The appeal was lodged in December by Tuam Business Park Ltd, Weir Road Residents and Tuam Clare and Corrib Anglers Association. A number of other fishing interest groups, seriously concerned about the project's effects on the Clare River, were noted as observers to the appeal. The applicants submitted a detailed reply rejecting the grounds of the appeal.
The Weir Road Residents argued that the road is already saturated with traffic and in a poor condition. The Tuam Clare and Corrib Anglers said the development posed an unacceptable risk to the river and were concerned that there were no proposals to monitor the site.
The objections from Tuam Business Park Ltd claimed the recycling facility would devalue other property, would cause a traffic and visual nuisance and pollution of the nearby Clare River. It also submitted that the site should be developed by an employment-creating industry. An Bord Pleanála has stipulated that the maximum annual intake of waste will be 5,000 tonnes and each consignment must be registered regarding origin, weight and composition of waste.
Any type of biodegradable municipal food or garden waste, hazardous waste and liquid/sludge waste is not allowed into the facility.
WERS Waste had intended to have trucks moving in and out of the site on a 24-hour basis but this has been rejected by An Bord Pleanála which has set down strict operational times for the new facility.