Owners urged to clean up waste at sugar factory site
Carlow sugar factory closed in 2005, after 80 years in production
CARLOW Municipal District is to write to the owners Greencore Ltd over what plans it has for the former sugar factory site on the Athy Road.
After 80 years in production, Carlow sugar factory closed with a loss of 190 full-time jobs in 2005. The site is now derelict.
European Union reforms on sugar policy was the reason for the shutters coming down.
A motion for last week’s municipal district meeting was brought by People Before Profit councillor Adrienne Wallace. Cllr Wallace called on members of the MD to write to Greencore Ltd to request a ‘detailed update on the removal of toxic waste from the former sugar factory site, particularly the site surrounding the lime kiln and any other relevant information pertaining to the site’.
‘In addition, the MD will request that the removal of said waste is expedited and a written timeframe for the same is given as part of the report.’ The lime kiln is the only structure still standing.
Cllr Wallace added: “It is really a disappointment that the site could not become a heritage site. This site should be protected as it is part of our heritage. The last public update was back in 2009.”
Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne pointed out that the Environmental Protection Agency should also be written to about what is happening with the site. He recalled that 5,000 houses had been mooted to be built on the site a long time ago.
Mayor of Carlow cllr Fintan Phelan agreed that both Greencore Ltd and the EPA would be written to, seeking a detailed update on the removal of toxic waste and to ascertain what is planned for the site.
