Adamstown sludge plant refused planning

PLANNING PERMISSION for the use of a site in Adamstown for the treatment of sewage sludge has been denied on the grounds that that untreated wastewater sludge ‘may contain bacteria, viruses, parasites and other potentially disease-causing microorganisms’.

In its refusal, Wexford County Council said the proposed development was considered ‘unacceptable on public health grounds’. The decision was welcomed by numerous Adamstown residents. Last month, Wexford County Council confirmed an enforcement notice was issued to the landowners at Misterin in relation to ‘unauthorised development consisting of the change of use of land for the storage of biosolids for use as an organic fertiliser’. Waste management company Enva was ordered to cease work at the site and the owner applied for planning permission to use a shed for the treatment and storage of the product.

In its decision last week, the application was refused on several grounds. The council states that there were 18 objections from local residents in relation to the use of the shed for the treatment process. During a site inspection, the odour experienced was deemed to be ‘significant’. The report notes that untreated wastewater sludge ‘may contain bacteria, viruses, parasites, other potentially disease-causing microorganisms, heavy metals and a variety of organic micropollutants’.