Government blocks Belfast EFW

Plans for a £40 million energy from waste (EFW) plant have gone back to the drawing board after being thrown out by ministers.


Veridis Energy, a waste consortium led by Irish Recycling Services, had planned to build and manage the privately funded renewable energy plant at the Ballyutoag Road on the outskirts of Belfast.

It was planned the facility would treat commercial and industrial waste that cannot be recycled or re-used, by turning it into electricity and heat.

Northern Ireland’s environment ministers Edwin Poots last night (july 21) made this this letter public revealing the scheme would not get the green light.

In the letter to other Northern Ireland Assembly members, earlier this month but only released yesterday, Mr Poots explained he backed planners in refusing the scheme,

He said: “The planning service has recommended this application be refused and I concur with this advice.

“It is my intention to announce that a Notice of Opinion to refuse will be prepared and issued in the near future.”

The company is said to be planning to appeal the decision.

Luke Walsh

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