Planning permission granted for arc21 Residual Waste Treatment Facility

Full planning permission for a Residual Waste Treatment Facility at Hightown Quarry on the Boghill Road, Ballyutoag in Co. Antrim has been granted.

The proposed development is designed to deal with waste from a significant portion of the population and includes a Mechanical and Biological Treatment facility, an Energy from Waste Thermal Treatment facility, an Incinerator Bottom Ash Treatment facility, a Refuse Derived Fuel Bale Storage building and an Administration/Visitor Centre. 

The Department has today published the independent report prepared by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) following a hearing into the proposal held in October 2016.  During the two day hearing the Commission heard submissions and considered evidence from all parties before presenting its findings to the Department. The PAC report includes full consideration of the planning issues and recommends that planning permission is granted.  Importantly, the report endorses the strategic need for the facility, its compliance with regional policy and the significant environmental benefit in terms of meeting waste management/treatment targets and assisting in the battle against waste crime.

In arriving at the final decision the Department carefully considered and agreed with the independent report and recommendations.  The planning conditions attached to the permission also take account of the PAC’s considerations.

The Department considers that it is in the public interest to take this decision, without further delay, given the strategic importance of the project for the region.

Notes to editors: 

1. Planning application T/2014/0114/F was submitted on 27 March 2014. The applicants are arc21 Waste Management Group.
2. The application is a Regionally Significant application under Section 26 of the Planning Act (NI) 2011 and was processed by the Department for Infrastructure’s Strategic Planning Division.
3. The application was for the development of a Residual Waste Treatment Facility incorporating a Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) facility, an Energy from Waste (EfW) Thermal Treatment facility, an Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) Treatment facility, a Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Bale Storage building, an Administration/Visitor Centre and related infrastructure including widening of the Boghill Road from its junction with Hydepark Road to west of the existing access road into Hightown Quarry site and other ancillary works.
4. The Department received 4021 letters of objection and one petition of objection with 836 signatures in relation to the application.  
5. The PAC report can be found through Public Access on the Planning Portal: www.planningni.gov.uk using the reference number T/2014/0114/F.
6. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office on 028 9054 0007 or email: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.
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