Planners have rejected proposals for a £40m incinerator that would have converted waste into energy in Northern Ireland. The site was due to be built by Veridis Energy on Ballyutoag Road, which runs from Belfast to Nutts Corner in Northern Ireland. But a letter from the environment minister has confirmed the decision to reject plans for the facility, which would have seen regular waste converted into electricity and heat.
Veridis Energy said it will launch an immediate appeal against the decision and that the company was “deeply disappointed.” A company spokesman added that they believe the proposal would make a positive contribution to the area when it came to dealing with landfill waste.
Like all EU countries, Northern Island is under pressure to reduce the amount of waste it sends to landfill in order to meet strict targets. The targets, combined with the need for sustainable energy solutions, made the plant a viable option, according to Veridis and Recycling Services.
The Balyutoag Road plant was to be modelled on a project in Slovenia, which had achieved Best Available Techniques (BAT) status and had been funded by the EU. Councils in Northern Ireland will be issued to harsh fines if they fail to meet waste and recycling targets.
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