A forested 160-acre area near the Co Clare village of Inagh was last night confirmed as the site at which Clare County Council intends to locate its proposed central landfill site - despite strong opposition from local residents.
In an Environmental Impact Statement published at last night's July monthly council meeting, councillors were told that the council now intended to submit the statement to the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the licence application to develop and operate the proposed landfill site.
In the report by consultants Fehily, Timoney and Co, councillors were told the site would include a recycling centre; a chemical storage shed; a composting area and the central landfill site two kilometres from Inagh.
In the consultants' report, the council was informed that due to the landfill's location within a densely wooded area, the waste management facility and its construction would have a low impact on landscape character. The report also stated that the proposal would have no impact on surrounding land use.
The consultants also claimed there was little evidence to support a drop in property values due to the proximity to a well-managed waste management facility.
As part of the proposal, the council intends to reserve a portion of income derived from waste charges for the local community to mitigate the impact of the development on the community through the implementation of appropriate environmental improvement projects.
The county manager, Mr Willie Moloney, told councillors that because of a High Court ruling, there was great urgency in developing a central landfill site, as the current site in Doora, near Ennis, has to stop operating by the end of June 2001.
Inagh-based councillor Mr Flan Garvey said the villagers will now study the proposal carefully.
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