The ‘Ballinasloe Says No’ group are to hold a public meeting on Zoom next week in respect of a new application for a permit to operate a waste transfer station in Ballinasloe, County Galway.
The application is a follow on in response to the relevant permit declined by Galway County Council in January 2020 and the successful win at the High Court on the previous infill permit in 2018 to build the waste transfer station at Poolboy, Ballinasloe.
Over 2,300 people in the local community of Ballinasloe lodged objections to the plans. Those objecting had serious concerns about the potential environmental impact because of the close proximity to low-lying areas of the River Suck.
The ‘Ballinasloe Says No’ group was formed in opposition to the plans because of these concerns, fears over air pollution and also because they state that the inappropriate location of a waste transfer station in Ballinasloe would force hundreds of trucks up to 30 tonnes through the streets of the town.
The application will be available for public viewing from tomorrow Thursday 3rd December, once approved as a valid application by Galway County Council. In response, the Ballinasloe Says No’ group will hold an online public meeting on Zoom on Wednesday 9th December 2020 at 7.30pm.
Senator for Roscommon-Galway, Aisling Dolan is Secretary of the ‘Ballinasloe Says No’ group and said that she would encourage people to attend; “All are welcome to attend this online meeting. Our public representatives, TDs, Senators and Galway County Councillors have been invited to attend.”
Dr Vincent Parsons, Chairperson of the ‘Ballinasloe Says No’ campaign along with Senator Aisling Dolan, PRO and Secretary of the group will present on the devastating impacts of this development on the health and safety of over 6,500 people in Ballinasloe town and on the disastrous environmental impacts to the low-lying flood plains of the River Suck Callows. Anita Tuohy, Ballinasloe Town Team Co-ordinator will give
perspectives from businesses and there will be representatives from schools, clubs and community groups.
“This is an inappropriate location for the facility, driving up to 30 tonne trucks through the centre of a town to access a site, past Portiuncula University Hospital, schools, playgrounds, estates,” explained Senator Dolan. “Ballinasloe is united in a vision for the future of our town to bring Greenways, investment and jobs. We are a community group representing Ballinasloe area and it’s people and we are fighting for the future of our town.”
For more information about the meeting see the Balllinasloe Says No Facebook and Instagram page (@ballinasloesaysno), email ballinasloesaysno@gmail.com or call 086 3690719.