Senator Aisling Dolan - Strong Voice, New Vision.
Ballinasloe Says No group shows the power of community action in win against waste facility permit
Thousands of people in the local community of Ballinasloe, County Galway have today (Fri) won a battle against a permit to prevent a waste transfer station being located in the town. Galway County Councillor, Aisling Dolan, who is the Fine Gael candidate for the Roscommon-Galway constituency in the next general election, says the local authority has refused a permit for the waste facility.
More than two thousand submissions objecting to the permit for the waste transfer station at the Poolboy location were lodged with Galway County Council. People are seriously concerned about the potential impact on the environment locating such a facility close to low-lying areas of the floodplains of the River Suck. We also raised concerns about the potential for hundreds of waste vehicles navigating through the East Galway town on a weekly basis and also the potential damage to tourism in the region.
Today the county council has refused to grant a permit to the applicant on the basis that the applicant didn't provide enough evidence to demonstrate that there would be no adverse impact to the environment.
Councillor Dolan, who spearheaded the 'Ballinasloe Says No' campaign says today's decision to refuse the permit is a major relief to residents and businesses in Ballinasloe;
“The community in Ballinasloe does not object to a waste transfer facility in principle, but we are against the proposed development at an inappropriate location so close to the River Suck. Today's decision shows the power of community action and the importance of having your voice heard. It's a win for community, a win for the environment and a win for quality of life in the East Galway region”.
