A plan by Clare County Council to establish a recycling centre in Ennis has come under fire from the Clare Chamber of Industries, who claimed the proposal will be a deterrent to the promotion of Ennis as a location for new industry.
As part of the Mid-West Regional Waste Management Plan, the council is seeking to build a 17-bay recycling centre to the south of Ennis's Gort Road industrial estate.
However, in its objection, the Clare Chamber of Industries expressed "serious concern" over the run-off from the proposed recycling centre into a nearby river, claiming there was a strong possibility of pollution.
The chamber also claimed the proposal would lead to a further increase in unauthorised dumping on the estate, while expressing concern in relation to what it called the "danger of infestation by rodents".
The Brothers of Charity, who run workshops for up to 100 clients a short distance from the proposed centre, have also objected.
The Brothers claimed the site is inappropriate, being near an important facility where services are provided for a disadvantaged group of people. They also claimed the proposal "will bring about a serious health and safety issue for the Brothers of Charity".
In response, the council stated the facility would not cause pollution. In a submission to Ennis Town Council, the county council stated the facility would only deal with dry recyclable material, pointing out that "no organic waste will be accepted".
The council added: "Rather than acting as a deterrent to the promotion of Ennis as a location for new industry, this development will reflect positively on Ennis and demonstrate to any industrialist that people of the area are serious about recycling".
A decision is due on the proposal by Ennis Town Council this autumn; however the Brothers of Charity have stated they will appeal any decision to grant planning to An Bord Pleanála.
