Menu
11/04/2008
Waste Plant Threat To Jobs
A leading hi-tech pharmaceutical business - one of Northern Ireland's 'blue chip' companies - isn't wasting time in its attempt to derail a planned waste recycling plant on its doorstep.
The scheme, planned for Portadown, may even threaten jobs if it gets the go-ahead according to Almac, a multi-million pound global pharmaceutical business headquartered on the Seagoe industrial estate.
Plans to build the recycling centre right next door has dismayed its boss and founder Sir Allen McClay who said: "I am not crying wolf," but branded the planning process "madness".
"A waste disposal unit, with scores of lorries carrying all sorts of waste, is totally incompatible with a global pharmaceutical complex where the need for a controlled environment and hygiene is supreme.
"It's madness that the planners are even considering this application. The planning legislation must be changed to prevent applications like this in an area where there is a company like Almac, food factories, schools, residential developments and a hotel."
The application to develop the centre was first lodged in December last year but there was still enough concern this week to prompt a high turnout for a public meeting addressed by Sir Allen.
He told the meeting that if the facility went ahead, it would jeopardise the entire future of the firm and the 1,300 jobs it supports.
The business is worth some £35 million to the local economy and at present a further £10 million investment is planned that could generate another 200 posts.
Sir Allen said: "It would close us down and we're talking 1,320 jobs here, 14 buildings, a total investment of £350 million over the years, a world-class pharmaceutical facility and all for creating 12 jobs in a waste facility in totally the wrong place."
He asked: "There are five professors on this site, 95 PhDs and 520 with third level education – how can all this be sacrificed on the matter of a waste disposal facility that can be quite easily sited away from industry, schools and housing?"
Although the firm already operates highly sophisticated sire cleaning technology, commercial director John Irvine said yesterday that it could not cope with the threat of such a centre, literally, on Almac's doorstep.
"What they cannot remove are very minute particulates and what they certainly cannot remove are odours which undoubtedly would be carried from this site," he said.
(BMcC)
The scheme, planned for Portadown, may even threaten jobs if it gets the go-ahead according to Almac, a multi-million pound global pharmaceutical business headquartered on the Seagoe industrial estate.
Plans to build the recycling centre right next door has dismayed its boss and founder Sir Allen McClay who said: "I am not crying wolf," but branded the planning process "madness".
"A waste disposal unit, with scores of lorries carrying all sorts of waste, is totally incompatible with a global pharmaceutical complex where the need for a controlled environment and hygiene is supreme.
"It's madness that the planners are even considering this application. The planning legislation must be changed to prevent applications like this in an area where there is a company like Almac, food factories, schools, residential developments and a hotel."
The application to develop the centre was first lodged in December last year but there was still enough concern this week to prompt a high turnout for a public meeting addressed by Sir Allen.
He told the meeting that if the facility went ahead, it would jeopardise the entire future of the firm and the 1,300 jobs it supports.
The business is worth some £35 million to the local economy and at present a further £10 million investment is planned that could generate another 200 posts.
Sir Allen said: "It would close us down and we're talking 1,320 jobs here, 14 buildings, a total investment of £350 million over the years, a world-class pharmaceutical facility and all for creating 12 jobs in a waste facility in totally the wrong place."
He asked: "There are five professors on this site, 95 PhDs and 520 with third level education – how can all this be sacrificed on the matter of a waste disposal facility that can be quite easily sited away from industry, schools and housing?"
Although the firm already operates highly sophisticated sire cleaning technology, commercial director John Irvine said yesterday that it could not cope with the threat of such a centre, literally, on Almac's doorstep.
"What they cannot remove are very minute particulates and what they certainly cannot remove are odours which undoubtedly would be carried from this site," he said.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 November 2024
Seating Matters To Create 62 New Jobs In £3.7m Investment
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a significant investment by Seating Matters, a leading global manufacturer of therapeutic seating solutions. The company will invest £3.7 million in its facilities in Limavady and Derry, creating 62 new jobs over the next two years.
Seating Matters To Create 62 New Jobs In £3.7m Investment
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a significant investment by Seating Matters, a leading global manufacturer of therapeutic seating solutions. The company will invest £3.7 million in its facilities in Limavady and Derry, creating 62 new jobs over the next two years.
21 July 2011
Waste Recycling Rise Welcomed
Waste management and handling is in focus this week with the latest edition of the Northern Ireland Municipal Waste Management Statistics being published - recording a rise in recycling.
Waste Recycling Rise Welcomed
Waste management and handling is in focus this week with the latest edition of the Northern Ireland Municipal Waste Management Statistics being published - recording a rise in recycling.
25 November 2024
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
25 November 2024
Ergo Invests £4.5m In NI Expansion
Leading IT solutions provider, Ergo, will invest £4.5 million to expand into Northern Ireland, creating 40 high-quality jobs over the next three years.
Ergo Invests £4.5m In NI Expansion
Leading IT solutions provider, Ergo, will invest £4.5 million to expand into Northern Ireland, creating 40 high-quality jobs over the next three years.
24 July 2014
NI Landfill Waste At All-Time Low
The amount of waste going to landfill in Northern Ireland is at an all-time low, according to figures released by the Department of the Environment.
NI Landfill Waste At All-Time Low
The amount of waste going to landfill in Northern Ireland is at an all-time low, according to figures released by the Department of the Environment.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
