Derry City and Strabane's District Council's Planning Committee has approved plans to replace a coal fired boiler plant in the Maydown area.

The existing plant and associated infrastructure will be replaced with a cleaner gas-powered turbine system at Maydown Works on Clooney Road. The existing coal fired boiler would be decommissioned and substituted with three back up gas boilers, two gas powered engines, a gas receiving station, electrical room, heat recovery steam generator, engine and boiler exhaust stacks, deaerator and associated infrastructure.

This development promises substantial environmental advantages for the local vicinity, anticipating the removal of 50,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually by switching to natural gas. Transitioning the Maydown site from a solid fuel power plant to gas, The LYCRA Company aims to remove the requirement for over 45,000 tonnes of coal per year. This initiative aligns with their dedication to fostering a more sustainable global manufacturing footprint and supply chain.

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Chair of Council’s Planning Committee, Councillor Sean Mooney said: "This is fantastic news for the Campsie area and a decision that will have a positive and lasting impact on the local environment. By changing to a cleaner fuel alternative, air quality will be significantly improved locally, to the benefit of both local residents and local wildlife.

"I want to commend Maydown Works for their commitment to exploring the use of more environmentally friendly technologies and lower carbon forms of energy. All businesses have a responsibility to reduce the impact of their activities on the environment, and this is a great example which I hope other companies will follow."