THE decision taken by Limerick City Council to grant planning permission for a new metal recycling facility close to Childers Road, is the subject of an appeal by Glendale Lawn residents to An Bord Pleanala.
They are opposing United Metal’s planning permission because a similar facility is already located in the area.
In their objections to City Council, they expressed health concerns, citing fumes from the existing site, and described the constant loud noise as “unbearable”.
The proposed development is in Monoclino Industrial Estate, Ballysimon, Limerick.
The locals fear that the proposed United Metals facility would increase the problem of pollution already in the area.
In one submission, it was alleged that living near to Hegarty’s Metal Recycling facility had become “unbearable and unliveable” in the past few years.
Another stated: “The explosions, fumes and black plumes of smoke emanating from the plant, not only cause a huge amount of filth around our homes, but we would also be extremely concerned about the implications the emissions from the plant have for our health”.
One woman claimed that pollution in the area is already at a dangerous level and she is concerned about the effect this proposed facility would have on her family.
“If United Metals are granted a waste permit then the problem will be doubled and I fear for all my families health. It has to be declined on the grounds that the fumes, dust and noise pollution is at hazardly high levels already and their business would add to the already dangerously high level of pollution”.
It is understood that the facility is a transfer station, and that the operation is much smaller than Hegarty’s.
Eugene Hogan, a spokesperson for United Metals, said: “Limerick City Council has granted planning permission for the facility and we are now awaiting the outcome of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála”.
Efforts to contact Mr Hegarty were unsuccessful.
The appeal is to be decided by An Bord Pleanála on June 29.
