Council opposes asbestos proposal

Dozens of protesters picketed council offices

A council in County Down has opposed a plan for an asbestos storage site, following a protest by residents.

Residents in Newtownards held the protest on Tuesday over a proposal to build the facility in the shadow of the town's Scrabo tower.

Protestors gathered outside Ards Borough Council offices, as the company seeking planning permission for the site set out its case to the council.

Residents' spokesman Dave Pennick welcomed the council decision.

"The number of people protesting last night combined with the unanimous support of the Ards Borough Councillors clearly demonstrates the depth of local feeling on this issue," he said.

"There is absolutely no support whatsoever in Ards Borough for the AES Marconi application to build an Asbestos Transfer Station beside Scrabo Country Park."

He said there were now plans to seek meetings with the planning service.

"We want to see this application refused and thrown out."

Mr Pennick has said the idea of an asbestos transfer station was "adding to the dangers for us all".

Mr Pennick has also said the Environment Heritage Service needed to have a planned strategy for the permanent disposal of asbestos.

At the start of this month, residents opposed to plans for a temporary asbestos storage site in Crumlin, County Antrim, lodged papers for a judicial review of the decision to approve the plant.