arc21 Encourages Public to Respond to Consultation - 25 February 2009

Belfast City Council has launched a consultation exercise asking ratepayers throughout Belfast for their views on making a small portion of the North Foreshore available to arc21 for the purpose of developing a modern waste facility.

As part of its site selection process for the Residual Waste Project, arc21 asked all of its constituent Councils, Government and the private sector, if they had any sites which would be suitable for either a Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facility or an Energy from Waste (EfW) plant. Belfast City Council is considering whether to make the North Foreshore available and the consultation exercise is part of their decision making process.

If the North Foreshore site is made available, it and any other sites made available will be assessed by arc21 against a series of technical criteria to identify the most suitable site.

arc21’s Policy Director, Ricky Burnett, said:

“MBT and EfW are well proven, clean technologies which will help us manage our waste in a more environmentally friendly manner. They will also ensure that we meet tough new EU directives which limit the amount of waste which can be sent to landfill. If we fail to comply with these new targets, councils and ratepayer could face substantial European infraction fines."

Speaking on local television yesterday (Monday, 23rd February), arc21 was asked if the North Foreshore would be a suitable site for either MBT or EfW. Mr. Burnett replied:

“The site is eminently suitable for both MBT and EfW, but in particular, EfW on this site would offer advantages from an economic perspective. It’s close to the motorway network and will produce cheap heat which could act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the entire site.”

arc21 is encouraging Belfast residents to consider the information provided by the Council and respond to the consultation exercise.

Send To A Friend »