Ronaldsway waste plant could handle asbestos
PLANS that could lead to the handling of asbestos waste on Ronaldsway Industrial Estate have provoked objections from businesses and residents in the area.
The proposal (09/00013) by J. C. Properties Ltd is to establish the company's headquarters in the former Castle Industries building and provide a licensed controlled waste recycling centre.
The estate is in the parish of Malew but borders Castletown
At first Malew Commissioners did not object, but when they received further details of what the waste recycling licence would cover, they had a change of heart and raised concerns.
'When we looked at the waste disposal licence, it covered pretty much anything,' said clerk Barry Powell. 'It included hazardous waste like asbestos and aggregate recycling, this type of industry should be at Balthane (Industrial Estate].'
He added: 'There are businesses nearby like Domicilium that is high-tech and that is the way forward, not heavy industry.'
The plan includes the creation of a new road for heavy goods vehicles and this has also raised concerns.
Mr Powell said several residents of Brookfield Avenue, Castletown, had been to view the plans at the commissioners' office and are to object.
Malew MHK Graham Cregeen said a number of businesses on the estate were sending objections to the Department of Local Government and the Environment.
He said: 'We have made a submission to the Southern Area Plan that the Ronaldsway estate should be a high-tech park. There is the Isle of Man Children's Centre, Sefton Express and Domicilium, a world-class technological firm, on the estate and it is inappropriate to have this.'
A spokes-man for J. C. Properties Ltd declined to comment.