09.02.2004 -- Reenascreena says no to sludge plant

The normally quiet West Cork community of Reenascreena was up in arms this week at proposals to develop a waste processing facility in the area. At an open public meeting held at the Reenascreena Community Hall on Monday 09 February approaching 200 people from the area gathered to learn of the sludge drying facility proposed for the Carrigagrenane area, locally known as Sunny Rock.

Under the proposals sewage and industrial sludge, mainly from waste-water treatment plants in Cork, would be transported into the area on a daily basis in covered trucks. It would then be treated by thermal drying at the plant and turned into pellet fertilizer and fuel for resale.

In a show of hands everybody at the meeting confirmed their opposition to the proposed location of this industrial waste treatment plant. Concerns were expressed about potential dangers to public health, both in the short and long term, the unsuitability of local road infrastructure to cope with increased levels of heavy traffic and the potential dangers of environmental contamination in an area wholly dependent on agriculture.

According to the recently convened Reenascreena Community Action Group planning application 04-498 was lodged with Cork County Council by John and Sheila O'Regan on 30 January 2004 without prior consultation with the local community. Under current planning regulations any objections to the proposal must be lodged in writing with the County Council by Friday 05 March 2004 in order to be considered.

When asked about the proposed development local councillor Christy Sullivan confirmed that as an elected representative of the community he would be supporting the majority view. From the meeting on Monday it is apparent that the controversial proposal has galvanised the community and that local people will do everything in their power to oppose these plans.

Planning application 04-498 can be viewed at the County Council's planning offices in Cork.