The company behind a third proposed Co Kildare superdump has revealed it is negotiating with homeowners to buy four properties adjacent to the site.
Barrister Jarlath Fitzsimons, instructed by Deborah Spence on behalf of Greenstar Holdings Ltd, told yesterday's hearing in Newbridge that any concerns those residents would have as regards the effects of the development on the properties would be mitigated as it would own the houses.
Oisín Collins, counsel for Usk Residents' Association, asked the inspector to disregard the information unless the agreements were disclosed to the hearing. One of the homeowners had indicated to him that he still opposed the dump.
Mr Fitzsimons said the four parties involved knew the terms of agreement and he could not disclose details because of sensitivities. He could, however, circulate the details of the confidentiality clause.
An Bord Pleanála inspector Mary Cuneen said she would consider the matter and deliver her decision in due course.
Greenstar is asking An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for a 12.5-hectare landfill at a disused quarry 7km south of Kilcullen in an area known as Usk. It would take in 200,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste per anum over its 10-year life span.
Last September, Kildare councillors voted unanimously against the proposal. Council officials had recommended approval. Greenstar appealed the decision, and the Usk Residents Association also submitted an appeal on the grounds that the council was not strong enough in refusing the application.
Mr Fitzsimons said the Environmental Protection Agency had granted a licence for the facility last June. The planning application was submitted before March 11th, 2002, and predated the phasing in of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
He said the development would not materially contravene the county development plan as the council promoted the reinstatement of quarries. However, he acknowledged the council proposed to fill them with soil or rubble rather than waste.
Margaret Heavy, general manager of landfill operations for Greenstar, said its KTK facility near Kilcullen was due to close in 2008 and it wanted to transfer waste to Usk. The current landfill accepted 78 per cent of its waste from the greater Dublin area.
There was a potential waste crisis, with waste capacity expected to drop from 1.49 million tonnes to .88 million tonnes in greater Dublin in 2009. This would occur even if all the facilities currently in the planning system got permission.
The company stressed the locality would benefit from improved roads, the restoration of the quarry to agricultural land, a tonnage-related community levy and landscaping.
The hearing continues.