Indaver, the European waste specialists behind plans to deliver an integrated waste management solution to meet the needs of six Northern Ireland councils that make up the arc21 waste management area, has welcomed the granting of leave for a Judicial Review of the decision to refuse planning permission for the proposed arc21 residual waste project. The project will deliver a sustainable solution for the six councils’ black bin waste, diverting it from landfill or the need to export it abroad while also increasing recycling levels and generating valuable energy and local investment in the process. Dates for the substantive Judicial Review hearing are to be confirmed.
Together with arc21 they are challenging the decision by Nichola Mallon, the former Minister for Infrastructure. The decision went against the clear recommendation from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Strategic Planning Directorate to approve the application, the fourth such time a recommendation to approve has been made, including by an independent Planning Appeals Commission review.
Speaking about this latest development, Jackie Keaney, Commercial Director Indaver and Becon Consortium said;
“We welcome the news that the Judicial Review process will proceed later this year. The delivery of this public infrastructure is critical to Northern Ireland becoming self-sufficient in the treatment of its black bin waste in line with circular economy and net zero carbon targets.
“Our proposals represent a quarter of a billion pounds investment in much needed public infrastructure, resulting in a council owned asset that provides a local, resilient solution for arc21’s black bin waste. The project will directly contribute to Northern Ireland’s ambitious recycling and landfill diversion targets while also recovering energy from our non-recyclable waste locally. This reduces the need to import expensive fossil fuels. The project also has the potential to make wider contributions towards Net Zero targets by using excess energy for district heating and hydrogen production.”