LOCALS OBJECT TO £30m CEMENT PLANT

By TOM SHIEL

But the nearby Tooreen Community Council is opposing the plan and has appealed to members of Mayo County Council to block planning permission for the proposal by Harrington who is one of the country's biggest producers of concrete piles and blocks, sand and aggregates.

The development is subject to a licence application under the Environmental Protection Agency Act of 1992 and in this regard a major environmental statement covering all aspects of the project has been lodged with the planning authority.

Mr. Peter Cassidy, spokesman for the Tooreen Community Council, said the cement factory would emit eight poisonous gases as well as large amounts of airborne dust.

They are also concerned that the plant would pollute nearby lakes and rivers and would create an extra 250% traffic volume on the surrounding roads. There is also a fear that some locals may depart the area if the factory goes ahead, adding further to rural decay in the region.

The objectors point out that an 83 metre chimney - equivalent to the height of a ten two storey house - would be part of the blueprint and the factory would run 24-hours a day, seven days a week and would cover 128 acres.

Mr. Cassidy stated: "The community council have plans to stock and develop Lough Roe as a tourist amenity. The building of a cement factory with a maximum height of 83-metres will adversely affect these plans.

"How many fishermen relish the thought of days fishing beside a factory emitting large qualities of airborne pollutants accompanied by the constant drone of grinders, crushers and mills?"

He said he believed the development would contravene the objectives of the Mayo County Development Plan.

Mr. Cassidy added: "We are urging the councillors in the strongest possible terms to do all in their power to persuade the County Manager Des Mahon to deny planning permission to this development in a mainly agricultural area.

"If necessary the councillors powers under section 4 of the City and County Managers (Amendment) Act 1955 should be used to stop this development".