This weeks Dundalk Democrat has two pieces on dumping and recycling, the first from Carrickmacross News. This article is an invitation to members of the public to recycle Christmas waste at The Recycling Centre, Scotch Corner - details of other bring centres in the area are here. List of Christmas tree recycling points listed also. Meanwhile the same paper on the same topic carried a report of a recent Town Council meeting where the subject of who is responsible for the disposal of rubbish from rental accommodation came up. Ballybay SF Councillor Gene Duffy asked if skips could be supplied to local residents associations to all for major clean-ups. There was also a reminder to the folk of Tallanstown and surrounding areas about new recycling facility opened on the Springhill Road, Tallanstown.
Perhaps the high level of coverage of rubbish and dumping issues is just a hangover from Christmas, or more worryingly, perhaps it is an early indication of people responding to the recession by saving on rubbish disposal costs?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
An Taisce branded "murders", "terrorists", by enraged Councillors
In a riveting story in the Meath Chronicle , Meath Councillors have branded An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland, as "murders", "terrorists", "robbers" following the decision by An Bord Pleanala, to refuse planning permission for a business park at Kilbride. According to the story: "Robin Rennicks was granted planning permission by Meath County Council for phase one of a business park on lands at Belgree, Kilbride, Clonee, last June. Councillors had agreed to materially contravene the Meath County Development Plan, allowing the development on lands previously unzoned for such a project. An Taisce, along with a number of local objectors, appealed the council’s decision to the planning appeals board, Bord Pleanala, which last week overturned the decision of the Meath planning authority."
Under Part 8 of the Local Government Act , County Councillors can change the County Development Plan so that , for example, land zoned as agricultural can be rezoned for industry. However An Taisce and local residents objected to the rezoning on the grounds that it was outwith regional planning guidelines, was not near any growth centre or transportation corridor, unserviced with inadequate sewerage capacity. An Bord Pleanala agreed and refused permission on the 13th January 2009. In refusing the application the inspectors report states in essence that the development is "contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
The article continues: "Ian Lumley, An Taisce’s heritage officer, this week rejected the criticisms of the Meath councillors, saying that there was more than enough zoned land for industrial development in Navan, Dunboyne, Drogheda environs, Ashbourne and along the new railway corridor. “These locations have all been identified and the development plan reflects that,” he says. “Material contraventions are back-door rezonings for landowners,” he added.
Under Part 8 of the Local Government Act , County Councillors can change the County Development Plan so that , for example, land zoned as agricultural can be rezoned for industry. However An Taisce and local residents objected to the rezoning on the grounds that it was outwith regional planning guidelines, was not near any growth centre or transportation corridor, unserviced with inadequate sewerage capacity. An Bord Pleanala agreed and refused permission on the 13th January 2009. In refusing the application the inspectors report states in essence that the development is "contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
The article continues: "Ian Lumley, An Taisce’s heritage officer, this week rejected the criticisms of the Meath councillors, saying that there was more than enough zoned land for industrial development in Navan, Dunboyne, Drogheda environs, Ashbourne and along the new railway corridor. “These locations have all been identified and the development plan reflects that,” he says. “Material contraventions are back-door rezonings for landowners,” he added.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Dundalk Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Conference
In a story covered in the Argus and the other papers, the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce is running a conference entitled Sustainable Jobs in Dundalk and Beyond (links to programme from Heritage Council web site: 2.8 M download). According to Chamber CEO Bill Tosh: "We have put together a full programme. We're clearly setting out our stall to claim this region's leadership in sustainables, with the launch of the National Centre of Excellence by Minister Eamonn Ryan. We are also pinning our hopes that our heritage, unspoiled as it is, along with logistics will be two of our strongest sectoral suites for economic development."
Abstracted from the programme
The conference will take place on Tuesday February 10th 2009 at the Crowne Plaza. A place at the conference costs € 100, to book a place call Fiona at (042) 9336343 or e-mail fiona@dundalk.ie.
Sustainability in the context of sustainable development is an increasingly urgent objective of County Louth and one which is now mandated by EU law: "
"Article 174 of the Treaty provides that Community policy on the environment is to contribute to, inter alia, the preservation, protection and improvement of the quality of the environment, the protection of human health and the prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources and that it is to be based on the precautionary principle. Article 6 of the Treaty provides that environmental protection requirements are to be integrated into the definition of Community policies and activities, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development."
"Article 174 of the Treaty provides that Community policy on the environment is to contribute to, inter alia, the preservation, protection and improvement of the quality of the environment, the protection of human health and the prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources and that it is to be based on the precautionary principle. Article 6 of the Treaty provides that environmental protection requirements are to be integrated into the definition of Community policies and activities, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development."
Thursday, January 15, 2009
"Sea of Filth"
FG Councillor Anne Dillon-Gallagher has complained of a major dumping episode near the recycling centre at Mell in a report in the Drogheda Independent. According to the article, "Cllr Dillon-Gallagher said we must consider the cost, not just in monetary terms but also to the environment.
'We have to get across to the public that it is their civic duty to report this illegal activity to the environment section of the council,' she said."
In a similar story in the Dundalk Democrat, SF Councillor Ian Dooley has highlighted the same issue. According to the piece, "people who witness or know of illegal dumping to contact the litter hotline on (free phone) 1800 20 26 06."
Perhaps the apparent recent increase in illegal dumping is due to the economic downturn, however there can be no excuse. The impact of a single bag of domestic waste in terms of clean-up and longer term impact on the environment, especially if waterways are affected, is inestimable. Some materials such as plastic can persist in the environment for hundreds of years - in fact it is estimated that every piece of plastic ever manufactured is still in existence, much of it in the sea, barring what was incinerated. Food waste attracts rats that bring diseases such as Weil's disease. Other waste is toxic and may contaminate ground water. But most of all rubbish is unsightly and offensive.
It is an offence to dump any kind of waste and waste is very broadly defined under the Waste Management Act eg "Products for which the holder has no further use." Penalties range up to 10 million Euro fines and 10 years in jail.
Any dumping episode can also be reported to the EPA on 1850 365 121 where callers can give information anonymously to a trained operator 24-hours a day. All of these calls are followed up by the Gardai, EPA and local authoraties.
'We have to get across to the public that it is their civic duty to report this illegal activity to the environment section of the council,' she said."
In a similar story in the Dundalk Democrat, SF Councillor Ian Dooley has highlighted the same issue. According to the piece, "people who witness or know of illegal dumping to contact the litter hotline on (free phone) 1800 20 26 06."
Perhaps the apparent recent increase in illegal dumping is due to the economic downturn, however there can be no excuse. The impact of a single bag of domestic waste in terms of clean-up and longer term impact on the environment, especially if waterways are affected, is inestimable. Some materials such as plastic can persist in the environment for hundreds of years - in fact it is estimated that every piece of plastic ever manufactured is still in existence, much of it in the sea, barring what was incinerated. Food waste attracts rats that bring diseases such as Weil's disease. Other waste is toxic and may contaminate ground water. But most of all rubbish is unsightly and offensive.
It is an offence to dump any kind of waste and waste is very broadly defined under the Waste Management Act eg "Products for which the holder has no further use." Penalties range up to 10 million Euro fines and 10 years in jail.
Any dumping episode can also be reported to the EPA on 1850 365 121 where callers can give information anonymously to a trained operator 24-hours a day. All of these calls are followed up by the Gardai, EPA and local authoraties.
Destruction of Conservation Area Stopped
Alert Blackrock citizen Brian Hopper stopped illegal works by An Bord Gais on a Special Area of Conservation located just north of Blackrock in Marsh South, an area known as The Loakers according to a story in the Dundalk Democrat. Apparently they were unaware that they were not permitted to carry out works in that area. The matter was resolved following the intervention of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, tel 018882000.
This episode is a salutory lesson in how members of the public can play a vital role in environmental protection. There are several protected areas in County Louth including Natural Heritage Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas and it is an offence to carry out any works, dumping (even of clean top-soil) or any other activity that might interfere with the integrity of, or disturb wildlife in, the area in question.
Conservation Areas around Blackrock.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Bord Refuses Permission for Houses in Dundalk
According to the Argus newspaper:
"Permission for 186 houses on the Carrick Road has been refused by An Bord Pleanála.
This follows an appeal by Willow Grove Residents' Association against the decision made on March 13th by Dundalk Town Council to grant subject to conditions a permission to McCaughey Developments of Carrickmacross Road, Dundalk."
This follows an appeal by Willow Grove Residents' Association against the decision made on March 13th by Dundalk Town Council to grant subject to conditions a permission to McCaughey Developments of Carrickmacross Road, Dundalk."
The area is question, known as Mounthamilton, is located here. It is a low lying woodland area with exposed rock and given its location near the town, is of particular ecological interest according to the Councils own ecological survey of the area...although that was not the reason for the development being refused. According to the inspector, "Having regard to the layout and design, it is considered that the proposal would result in substandard development with respect to the provision of quality, usable public open space and by reason of the prevalence of car dominant roads and lack of connections and permeability for pedestrians and cyclists. This is considered to be contrary to the aims and objectives of the Dundalk South West Area Local Area Plan. The proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the amenities of the area and of future occupiers of the development and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."
Typical clearing in Mounthamilton woodland
However because the area is zoned premature for development, there is still a possiblilty that some future application would be successful. In the light of this eventuality perhaps it would be a good idea for the County Council to address the value of this area not just as a public amenity and wildlife refuge near the heart of the town, but also as a possible sump to relieve surronging housing from possible future flooding events.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Good News for Recycling in Blackrock
According to the Argus newspaper, in a survey conducted by Rehab Recycle, Blackrock set a record as the top glass recycling site in the county - full story here. Information about the tonnage of waste collected for recycling can be found here. For example the total weight of cans for 2008 was 54 tonnes.
County Louth is reported to have one of the highest prosecution rates for dumping in the country, which is commendable, however egregious episodes of dumping are still regular. For example on a recent visit to Racecourse Road north of Dundalk, the ditch on either side was strewn with not only domestic rubbish, but in one instance, several sacks of used motor oil filters.
County Louth is reported to have one of the highest prosecution rates for dumping in the country, which is commendable, however egregious episodes of dumping are still regular. For example on a recent visit to Racecourse Road north of Dundalk, the ditch on either side was strewn with not only domestic rubbish, but in one instance, several sacks of used motor oil filters.
Oil filters dumped in a waterway at Racecourse road
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)