Private waste disposal firm Celtic Waste has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála yesterday to uphold the decision of Meath County Council by granting it planning permission to operate a landfill at Knockharley near Navan.
The landfill had been condemned by opponents as a so-called "superdump" and seven separate objections to the planning permission granted in July 2001 by the council were made to the planning appeals body.
The permission was subject to 25 conditions and Celtic Waste has since applied to the EPA for a licence under the Waste Management Act 1996; the agency indicated its intention to grant it, subject to twelve conditions, earlier this year and the oral hearing into objections will be heard by the EPA next month.
The landfill will comprise 25 hectares of a 135-hectare site approximately 10 kilometres east of Navan between the N2 and N3.
One of the conditions attached to the decision of Meath County Council was that only waste from the North East counties of Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan could be accepted and that it should not exceed 80,000 tonnes per year.
An Bord Pleanála has now allowed a higher limit of 132,000 tonnes following an appeal by Celtic Waste on the figure.
Welcoming the boards decision Celtic Waste said it was 'very pleased' and was examining the decision and would comment further in the future.