Men lose battle on asbestos site

A judicial challege against a proposed asbestos store is dismissed

Two County Antrim men who launched a legal challenge against plans for an asbestos storage site close to their village have had their case dismissed.

Michael Keating and Stanley Rankin, of the Crumlin Against Asbestos group tried to reverse a decision granting planning permission.

The proposed site, at Crosshill quarry, is run by Eastwoods Ltd.

On Monday, Justice Girvan told the High Court the two men failed to establish there was any real risk to their lives.

The men claimed the government did not carry out a public inquiry and an assessment about the health of those living close to the site.

The company had been granted permission to allow fully sealed containers of asbestos to be placed and stored on site.

The substance is double-bagged and placed in secure containers for temporary storage whilst awaiting transfer, but residents opposed to the facility claim this poses grave risks to their health.

After hearing submissions in October on behalf of both the applicants and the respondent, Mr Justice Girvan rejected the argument that the Department of Environment's consideration of environmental issues was flawed.

He said that the department's decision fell within "the permitted range of decision-making".

"It appears clear that in light of the decision-making process, consideration was given to ensure that any detrimental effect on people and environment was minimised.

'Balance'

"The question of how asbestos stripped from buildings as a safety measure should be dealt with in the public interest requires a balancing exercise on the part of the state authorities," he said.

"Without a facility such as that provided at the subject site, the public face the real risk of fly-tipping which presents a current social problem.

In October, the Planning Service reported it had received more than 1,500 letters of objection to the site.

The government has said the plant will pose no risk to health, and gave the green light to plans in March.