A contemplative order of nuns has raised concerns that a new steel processing plant planned for the outskirts of Drogheda will detrimentally affect the order’s essential ‘prayful atmosphere’.
In May, Co Meath firm, Hibernia Steel (Manufacturing) Ltd lodged plans for ‘a state of the art’ ‘hot dip’ galvanising plant on the outskirts of Drogheda that will lead to the creation of 110 jobs.
The plant at Mell, Drogheda which involves large-scale dipping tanks, will process 36,000 tonnes of steel per annum.
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A letter from the IDA to the Council has confirmed that the agency has agreed to sell, subject to contract, eight acres of land at Mell, Drogheda to Hibernia (Steel) Manufacturing Ltd.
Regional Director of Enterprise Ireland, Aidan McKenna has also written to the Council in support of the ‘state of the art’ galvanising plant.
However, the plan is facing local opposition with 60 submissions lodged with Louth County Council on the proposal.
One of the parties to lodge a submission is Prioress at the Dominican Contemplative Nuns, Sr M Breda Carroll OP And Community who has raised concerns over the plan on behalf of her order.
The Dominican Contemplative Nuns are based at the Monastery of St Catherine of Siena at The Twenties, Drogheda.
The monastery’s 8.5 acre site lies to the east of the planned steel plant site and in the submission, Sr Breda has told the Council “we are concerned that this plant would seriously and detrimentally affect our way of life and the present prayful atmosphere, which is essential to us”.
Sr Breda has told the Council “we live our whole life within the confines of the monastery boundaries, a fact which heightens the importance of this space for us”.
She added “maintaining a quiet, peaceful atmosphere in the monastery and its surroundings is also of vital importance for many people who avail of our retreat facilities and visit our chapel”.
Sr Breda has told the Council that “we are concerned that the relative proximity of this plant will result in noise and air pollution in our area, especially since the prevailing winds tend to be from the west”.
The Prioress added: “We also wish to express the concern that it is inappropriate to situate such a plant in close proximity to an area that is set to become highly residential."
Sr Breda says that “we hope that the council will consider these concerns when deciding whether to grant permission for this development”.
Ian Lumley of An Taisce has told the Council that the planned heavy industrial processing facility represents a significant departure from the business park/incubator units provided for in a 2009 planning permission.
Legal firm, FP Logue LLP acting on behalf of the Killineer and District Residents Association has told the council “our client strongly object to the proposal to construct the project on what is essentially a greenfield site located in a rural location outside of the built-up area of Drogheda”.
A planning report lodged with the scheme states that the proposal “will support national and regional strategic planning outcomes for a strong economy, supported by enterprise, innovation and skills”.
The report also states that employment development on the undeveloped lands zoned for employment uses that includes the site “is a fundamental element of the immediate growth strategy for Drogheda”.
