It’s not just light manufacturing. Inspite of the original zoning of the Poundlick site in this rural area of natural beauty, the site was re-zoned (with no proper notification) to accommodate the new plastics factory planning application. An FAQ from SOS Skibbereen explores the impact of the proposed factory on the environment.
“A Light Industrial building means an industrial building in which the processes carried on or the machinery installed are such as could be carried on or installed in any residential area without detriment to the amenity of that area by reason of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust or grit.
· Plastics manufacturing is a major part of the chemical industry, and some of the world’s largest chemical companies have been involved since the earliest days, such as the industry leaders BASF and Dow Chemical
· This facility will have 4 X17 metre chimneys to disperse the emissions of fumes, dust and particulate.
· It will have machinery running 24 hours a day
· Toxic chemicals need permanent refrigeration
· There will be 4X16 metre silos being filled and emptied of plastic pellets regularly
· The processing of toxic chemicals in such a sensitive area cannot legitimately be described as light industrial activity.”
