Cllr Alan Lawther said: “It is regrettable that the Environment Minister has made this decision despite the amount of objections that he has received from local people, environmentalists and politicians.
“David Ford and I are very supportive of sustainable ways of generating our energy and I know the poultry industry needs to cut down on its waste to avoid fines, but Glenavy is not where this incinerator should be built.
“The Minister should have put this issue to a public inquiry before he made a decision. There are many unanswered questions as to the environmental impact that this incinerator could have on the Lough Neagh area as well as the nearby Randox laboratories.
“This is the wrong site for this type of process. Access to the facility would be made down small country lanes which could create major traffic problems for the local area. And there is not much chance to use the heat that is generated in any meaningful way.
“This facility is being presented as a green solution but it isn’t one.”
ENDS