Opposition to Planned `Super Dump’ in West Wicklow

Residents of West Wicklow are being asked to oppose a `super dump’ planned for the Co. Kildare townland of Usk which is situated just a few miles from the village of Dunlavin. The plan by Dublin based company, Celtic Waste is to site the dump in

Celtic Waste's 'KTK Landfill' near Kilcullen, Co Kildare.

a disused quarry in the area.

The company has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for a licence to develop the 47acre site while an application for planning permission has been made to Kildare Co. Council. However, a group of local residents in the area are bitterly opposed to the plan.

Today, a spokesperson for Kildare Co. Council told Wicklowtoday.com that while the planning application has been lodged since December 10, a decision has not yet been made because the local authority has sought `further information’ on the matter.

The proposed dump will be near Dunlavin

However, angry local residents are continuing their battle against the plan and are now calling on all the people of the Usk Valley and Dunlavin to voice their objections. The site is just 25 metres from the Dunlavin Marshes which may be designated as a National Heritage Area in the near future.

According to Sean Ryan, PRO of the Usk and District Residents Association, people are concerned about the possibility of airborne pollution and toxins, odour, impact on local aquifer and wells and the consequent increase in heavy traffic.

`At the moment, three sandpits are in operation in this area and the road system is crumbling. It cannot take any more vehicles’, said Sean who also pointed out that up to 80 per cent of the waste would come from north Kildare. `We feel that the south of the county has already done more than its fair share in this respect’, he said.