Longford public meeting: Pressure mounts in bid to retain power station
Lanesboro says No to demolition and Yes to exploring jobs potential of ESB structure
As people from both sides of the bridge in Lanesboro gathered within a room in St Mary's Parish Hall on Monday evening to discuss the future of the former power station, the turnout quickly exceeded expectations, prompting a move into the main hall. It was close to full within minutes.
The meeting, which was organised and hosted by MEP Ciarán Mullooly, involved a proposal from JJ O’Hara, the CEO of Future Cast, a company that specialises in modernising construction, manufacturing, and quarrying industries.
With the ESB having secured permission to demolish the power station to make way for a battery energy storage facility, JJ presented to the crowd an impressive proposal that involved Future Cast leasing the site and transforming it into a new enterprise capable of providing long-term employment.
The enterprise in question would operate in the areas of fire testing as well as pyrolysis, the process of recycling materials such as ESB poles and wind turbine blades.
The intention was that, with the backing of the Lanesboro residents, the proposal would be presented to the ESB in an effort to encourage a reconsideration of its plans for the site.
The meeting heard that while the overall objective was to secure a project of opportunity and employment for the Lanesboro area, if the power station site was not an option, then other appropriately zoned locations such as the 22 acres owned by SSE Airtricity behind the power station, could also be considered.
In addition to creating employment opportunities, JJ’s enterprise also aimed to save the power station from demolition, something the locals in attendance strongly supported.
With the floor open to questions and comments from attendees, Senator Joe Flaherty addressed the room, pointing out that the ESB would not backtrack on their plans.
“There’s no point in being disingenuous here, but I have been told from the very outset that the ESB have full and complete planning for that site,” he explained. “They have said they will use that site in its entirety so if there's some thought that the ESB are going to turn around and hand the site over, that’s not going to happen. They have been working on plans for that site for the last ten years.”
He added, “Both ESB and Bord na Mona are transitioning to green energy companies. That’s where the money is at the moment, so they know their site is extremely valuable. Your project is great JJ, it’s just in the wrong place. We’ve been knocking at ESB’s door for the best part of five years and they are adamant that they’re not going to change on this.”
Having completed a feasibility study of the site, JJ explained that he is now required to secure planning within the next 12 months.
ESB likewise have a similar time frame within which they're required by the planning department to have completed the demolition, the contract for which is currently out to tender.
Addressing the crowd, Senator Paraic Brady said people’s frustrations were due to the uncertainty around “the timeline of what ESB are really going to do with this site, and how long it’s going to take to do whatever they have planned to do.”
He added, “Their planning is nearly up regarding the demolition, will they get an extension for that demolition? The reality is that the demolition now is 75% more in cost than when they first got the planning. So is there a willingness to take it down at this point in time, I’m not so sure.”
In closing the meeting, MEP Mullooly said he would now return to the ESB and asked the Oireachtas and council representatives to take up the matter with the county managers and to establish whether the ESB would be prepared to re-examine the issue.
The MEP also agreed with Senator Brady on the likelihood of the demolition costs being vastly more expensive.
“I personally believe that the ESB’s tenders are back and it’s on the very high side. I think they will face a decision to take away the building and create three jobs in the short term for €25 million. That won’t be popular. Not just with the public but the government.”
Mullooly said the community needed to keep going in their efforts, and that it was now time to bring the matter to the attention of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.
He suggested a 6 week deadline for results, marking the end of September for the next meeting.
He told the crowd, “I’m not waiting another 12 months on this. The message should go back tonight.”