|
A £40 million incinerator in Co Antrim has been given the
go-ahead.
The biomass power plant in Glenavy, which will burn poultry
products, is expected to create up to 400 construction jobs.
The incinerator has met opposition from local residents concerned
about the impact on the rural landscape and communities near
Lough Neagh.
Northern Ireland Environment minister Edwin Poots said he
was fully aware of both opposition and support for the power
plant and had to judge between the benefits to the poultry
industry and the economy and the potential adverse impact
on local houses and landscape.
"Having given the proposal careful consideration, including
visiting the site and viewing it from Lough Neagh, I am satisfied
that on balance it should be approved," he said.
"This type of investment is necessary to further stimulate
the local economy, something the Executive is striving to
secure. It is an example of investment that can contribute
in many ways - providing long-term work, generating power,
supporting local agriculture and related industries."
The application was submitted in June last year by Rose
Energy. It will burn poultry bedding, meat and bonemeal
and produce approximately 30 megawatts of electricity. Around
30 permanent positions will be created at the plant.
An expert group on alternative uses of manure concluded that
combustion was the only technology for processing poultry
litter which is proven on a commercial scale and which significantly
reduces the volume of material to be disposed of.
The Environment Department received 6,342 letters and four
petitions in support of the development and 6,733 letters
and one petition opposed to it.
Source - The Irish Independent
|
