Artists impression of Mallusk waste incinerator

SDLP politicians said they feared a £240 million waste treatment plan in north Belfast would turn the area into a “dumping ground”.

North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness and Newtownabbey Councillor Norren McClelland have expressed their concern at the proposed planning for a major waste treatment facility at the site of the Hightown Quarry in Mallusck

Alban Maginnes said: “In the past few days I have been contacted by a number of residents in the Glengormley area who are extremely concerned about these proposals.

“There is a great deal of uncertainty within the local community that this development, if it is allowed to go ahead, will have a very damaging impact on local residents and businesses.

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SDLP MLA Alban Maginness raises concerns of waste treatment plant

This proposed development could see waste from eleven council areas being brought into the area and residents are very worried that their area could be treated as a dumping ground.”

Cllr. McClelland added: “The Hightown area has seen many new housing developments built over the past ten years.

” This area is thriving and many families have moved into the area but the location of this site could halt this progresses as stop other people from moving to the area.

“Surely there must be a more suitable site in the Arc21 area for this plant to be located than a few hundred metres away from a built-up, residential area.”