A Co. Tipperary company that utilizes worms in the making of compost may have to dismantle its facilities, following a ruling by An Bord Pleanála.
The board has refused an appeal by Shannon Vermicomposting Ltd which had sought permission to expand its existing facilities at Coolross, Rathcribbin and Roscrea.
Permission for the retention and completion of a waste material reception and mixing area for the processing of organic and domestic waste into vermicompost had already been refused by North Tipperary County Council last august.
The company is not being allowed to proceed with construction of 11 mushroom/vermicomposting tunnels, as well as other necessary infrastructure and facilities common to composting yards. An unacceptable risk of pollution was cited as the reason.
In this day and age, when recycling of waste materials is understood to be of the utmost importance environmentally, it is peculiar to see a forward thinking composting facility being knocked back.
Maybe it isn't just the worms that are challenged in the sight department. Perhaps the worms will turn and another approach will allow the vermicomposters to wriggle of the hook of planner objection.
