IRISH CEMENT GET BORD APPROVAL
PADDY MEADE WANTED €2M FEE TO COMMENCE DULEEK BYPASS PLAN
IRISH Cement has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for the further replacement of imported fossil fuels at the Platin cement factory.
Speaking after the decision, David O’Brien, factory manager in Platin said: “This positive decision on our planning application paves the way for further reductions in fossil fuel use. We have made great progress in Platin since 2011 when we first introduced alternative fuels to replace fossil fuels in our cement kiln. Last year we avoided the importation of over 53,000 tonnes of fossil fuels and reduced our CO2 emissions by over 64,000 tonnes. This development will help recover valuable resources, make the factory more competitive and support existing and future employment.”
The application made to An Bord Pleanála in early 2017 allows for an increase in the quantity and range of alternative fuels that can be used in Platin.
The application was the subject of a two-day oral hearing last November at City North.
Irish Cement plans to burn up to 600,000 tons of mixed waste as an alternative fuel at their plant.
Local councillor Paddy Meade, who spoke at last year’s oral hearing, said it was a ‘ bad day for Duleek’ and would see increased traffic on the roads around the area.
‘It now means that the bypass of Duleek must be fast tracked and we need it in train within five years. You cannot sit out and enjoy life in Duleek with the volume of trucks moving through it and it will only get worse now. My fear is that Meath is becoming a burning ground for waste.’
He said planning fees amount to €200,000 and he wanted it to be €2m and invested in a bypass project for Duleek.
The North East Association of Environmental Groups wanted to reduce the tonnage, reduce the 10-year license period, take out many of the toxic hazardous materials, and include a local EPA Regional Office in North East Area.