Trevor Lunn MLA said: “I am astonished that the Minister has not felt the need for a public inquiry. As this is such a significant and controversial proposal I would have thought that it would have qualified for one. Several other major proposed developments have recently been put forward to public inquiry, so I find it incredible that this has not.
“I am very much in favour of sustainable means of producing our electricity but I have real concerns over the proposed location of this incinerator. This site is environmentally sensitive and there are too many unanswered questions as to the incinerator’s effect on air quality and the likelihood of toxic residue in the immediate area and beyond. Also the effect on Lough Neagh and the Glenavy River is unknown and there are very significant transport issues to be addressed.
“There is massive local concern at this proposal and for all these reasons I still believe a public inquiry in the only way to go.”
ENDS