The Western People - 8th May 2002

From www.castlebar.ie

Local Papers Commentary
The Western People - 8th May 2002
By Neasa McGarrigle
May 13, 2002, 00:28

Protests over Plans for Super Dump
Five sites between Charlestown and Ballaghaderreen have been nominated for a 300-acre dump in East Mayo. The landfill dump will cater for the four counties of North Connaught and will be for waste that cannot be recycled, re-used or prevented. An action committee has been formed to protest against the planned dump. While the action committee agrees that the waste has to go somewhere they disagree with the size of the planned dump.

Shock and Anger over Castlebar Rezoning Proposal
A proposal to rezone the land around Lough Lannagh to enable commercial and residential development has evoked shock and anger from over 10 groups in the town. A specially convened meeting last Thursday night decided to send a questionnaire to each member of the town council to see what his or her individual positions on the matter is. A public meeting will be held in the near future to form an action group. The proposal can be viewed in the Review of the Draft Town Development Plan.

Lough Conn Problem Transferred to Lough Mask
A deal has been agreed between Mayo County Council and the NorthWestern Regional Fisheries Board. The deal concerns the disposal of leachate from Derrinumera Landfill but will result in the problem in the Conn/Cullin lakes being transferred to Lough Mask. The deal is on the basis that the new sewage treatment plant for Castlebar will be advanced in return for the Fisheries Board dropping their objections to planning applications. The arrangement will be a short-term one however until the new treatment works in Westport comes on stream next year when the leachate will be transferred there.