Drehid landfill expansion plans refused permission

Planning permission for the massive expansion of the Drehid landfill between Allenwood and Derrinturn has been refused by An Bord Pleanala.

The proposed development consisted of changes to the volume and nature of wastes to be accepted at the landfill disposal facility, development of additional non-hazardous and hazardous landfill capacity and increasing the volume of waste accepted at the facility.

Bord na Moná Environmental Ltd made the ten year planning application directly to the board.

The board said given the fact that the proposed development is being accessed through a "sub-optimal" network of regional roads, which run through a series of villages before connecting with the national road network, "it is considered that the proposed development would generate a significant volume of traffic, including a high number of movements by heavy goods vehicles."

Based the information it had received, the board said it cannot be satisfied the road network in the vicinity of the site is capable of accommodating "this significant additional volume of traffic safely" due to the restricted width and capacity of the roads.

"The proposed development would, therefore, give rise to traffic congestion and would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard," it said.

An Bord Pleanala also said it was not satisfied the proposed development would not adversely affect the integrity of the River Barrow and River Nore Special Area of Conservation. 

The applicant will also have to pay the costs association with the application of €109,723.