1 Comment
After a year of persistent campaigning group Rotten to the Point have welcomed the removal of an open air stockpile of waste bales from Warrenpoint Port at the end of August.
The group are hoping that this marks the end of Re-Gen Waste's storage of bales at the facility but this isn't confirmed. Warrenpoint residents have expressed their concerns over smells emanating from the facility and an independent environmental report was commissioned in February 2024. See Warrenpoint Harbour Authority and Re-Gen apologise for 'odour and fly issues'
A Rotten to the Point spokesperson said "Only a clear statement from each of the above bodies will assure the public that this welcome waste clearance is not some bizarre ‘Wooden Horse of Troy’ ploy with a plot to return in stealth with a bigger and even worse stench operation, whether that be in the open-air again or under some kind of shed or temporary shack it is not welcomed in Warrenpoint.
"Our community who have signed their names to a petition, and citizens of all ages who have consistently raised a voice of reason on street campaigns, public meetings, and the only South Down election hustings held before this year’s General Election campaign have all made it abundantly clear that they want an end to the Re-Gen Waste presence in Warrenpoint."
The spokesperson added that the residents and businesses of Warrenpoint and the surrounding area now deserve clear communication from the four key stakeholders involved in this situation: Re-Gen Waste Ltd, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA), Northern Ireland Environmental Authority (NIEA), and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray intends to meet with Re-Gen Waste Ltd next week. Rotten to the Point has reached out to Re-Gen Waste Ltd, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, and DAERA/NIEA Minister Andrew Muir for statements, and are still awaiting their responses.
The spokesperson concluded "Our message remains clear: it is time to bid farewell to the source of this prolonged stench issue. We sincerely hope Re-Gen Waste leaves Warrenpoint permanently. We wish them a cleaner future and extend our thanks to the local and national media, whose support has been invaluable in bringing us to this hopeful juncture."
Newry.ie has contacted Warrenpoint Harbour and Re-Gen for comment.
Update 4pm 3 September
Statement issued on behalf of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority
"ReGen’s licence with the NIEA remains in place. Warrenpoint Port continues to engage with ReGen to ensure there is no odour from their facility on our site, with an independent monitoring team reviewing their operations. We are committed to working closely with the local community and as part of our open door policy our Community Forum is enabling residents and businesses to discuss issues directly with us."
