A planning application for a large scale waste treatment facility in Newtownabbey has been refused.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon rejected planning permission for the project, which was set to be developed on the site of the former Hightown Quarry, Boghill Road.

The application by arc21 proposes a residual waste treatment facility that has the ability to thermally treat 300,000 tonnes per year of municipal waste. 

This is a regionally significant planning application meaning that the final decision rests with the Minister.

Arc21, the umbrella waste management group for 11 councils in the east of Northern Ireland, had proposed to construct the incinerator and waste sorting plant on the Boghill Road, Mallusk.

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Minister Mallon said: "I consider that this development for a residual waste treatment facility in the former Hightown Quarry of Boghill Road should be refused. I have carefully considered all the information before me and I have listened to the concerns of local people and their public representatives. There have been in excess of 5000 objections to this application.

"My priorities for this assembly mandate were to improve lives, connect communities, grow a balanced economy and tackle the climate emergency. In respect of the latter, I am committed to climate action, and promoting recycling is an important aspect in that regard. This development could result in an increased market for waste disposal and to maintain a facility such as this, in addition to the other approved waste facilities, could discourage recycling. I am not persuaded that there is a need for this specific facility. In that context I do not consider there to be any need for this proposal."