LETTER OF OBJECTION TO LOUGH NEAGH INCINERATOR

 …………./…………./2008

 Dear Minister for the Environment,

                        The following outlines my categorical objection to planning application S/2008/0630 for an incinerator/power plant to be built by Rose Energy at Ballyvannon Road, near Glenavy.  My numerous concerns and grounds for objections are summarised as follows: 

·          Studies have shown that emissions from these plants, including particulate matter, dioxins and furans, will have significant adverse effects on human health, land quality & agriculture, leading to:

o        Concentration of dioxins in human embryos as they are passed from mother to child during pregnancy, causing cancer and behavioural difficulties among other significant health problems.

o        Concentration of dioxins in the food chain in cattle, sheep, ‘free-range’ poultry, and fish life in Lough Neagh could have a severe impact on the local food industry, including beef and dairy, and the Lough Neagh Eel fishing industry.

o        Dioxins in the food chain could taint the overall Northern Ireland food industry and severely damage our status of having the cleanest food in Europe.

·          The location is designated under EU law as a RAMSAR site. The Convention's mission is ‘the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions’.

·          The location is designated as a Special Protection Area under the European Birds Directive.

·          The location is designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest by your own Department and is described by the EHS as being ‘renowned for wildlife and habitat value’.

·          The location is designated as being an Area of High Scenic Value.

·          Lough Neagh is the largest source of drinking water in Northern Ireland– and the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland and as such should be given paramount protection.

·          Bats, otters, badgers, eels, River Lamprey and other protected species are known to breed and live in the area and will be significantly affected by the development.

·          The return of large volumes of water at elevated temperatures to the Lough will, even according to Rose Energy, cause ‘significant ecological stress on aquatic organisms’.

·          The development will have serious consequences for tourism both within the area and throughout the entire Lough Neagh area.

·          The visual impact will be monstrous. The development will be visible from at least 80% of the Lough & from all 5 counties bordering the Lough. The locus is An Area of High Scenic Value – the inclusion of an incinerator will result in an unjustifiable paradox rendering futile the designation.

·          The increase in traffic will cause a hazard both by way of pollution, emissions and safety on what are essentially country roads. The safety of pedestrians will be compromised along with other road users.

·          The ash, currently designated as hazardous, will be sent to landfill, compromising the European Landfill Directive.

·          The companies involved have been prosecuted numerous times for their flagrant disregard of your Department’s pollution controls.

·          Rose Energy is reliant on at least £20million of government money – public money should be spent on public services and not on pollution.

·          The plant lacks efficiency and will not make use of any heat generated. Its capacity to reclaim electricity generated is curtailed by its rural location and it will not operate within the European guidelines for a waste recovery operation.

·          Property prices within 5 miles of the plant could be grossly affected, compounding the current problems in the local property sector.  This would impact more than 5000 households in the Crumlin, Glenavy & Aghalee areas.

·          Rose Energy has failed to adequately explore alternatives to incineration.

·          Approval for an incinerator will result in a dangerous precedent for waste disposal plants in any location across the province and will negate our ‘green’ image so necessary for tourism and food exports.  

Therefore, I would call on you in your capacity as Minister for the Environment to reject outright this proposal or failing this to hold a Public Inquiry to ensure that all voices can be heard openly. I look forward to your response to my concerns.

Regards,

Signature__________________________________________

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