Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Waste burner up in smoke.. just for now
High Court stops £240m incinerator
CAMPAIGNERS yesterday welcomed a court move to stop a incinerator – while those behind the project insist they “remain fully committed” to it.
The reaction came after a High Court judge ruled a senior civil servant went too far in giving approval to the £240million facility on the outskirts of North Belfast without a minister being in post.
Mrs Justice Keegan said: “I do not consider that Parliament can have intended that such decision making would continue in Northern Ireland in the absence of ministers without the protection of democratic accountability.”
The verdict represents victory for campaigners opposed to the Hightown Quarry in Mallusk.
In 2015 the scheme had been turned down by the then Environment Minister Mark H Durkan. But a consortium behind the project on behalf of six local councils, arc21, was given permission after the Planning Appeals Commission recommended approval.
Friends of the Earth welcomed what it called the “monumental decision”, adding that it “has major implications for the health of local residents in Belfast but also the health of our democracy”.
It added: “The people of Belfast will know they can breathe air that is not poisoned from dirty incineration.
“The recycling industry will not be undermined by perverse decisions to burn waste instead of recycling waste.”
The Becon Consortium, the waste management group involved in the arc21 project, said it was “disappointed”. But it added: “The judge’s decision is entirely based on procedural matters in relation to the ability of the Department to make a decision in the absence of a minister in post.
“While this a frustrating setback, we remain fully committed to delivering this project on behalf of arc21 and will now take time to consult with them, to consider the implications of this decision and agree the next steps to move this strategically important infrastructure project forward.”