A site has been chosen for a new 'super dump' which will cater for the millions of people living in the Dublin region.
Consultants have recommended the new landfill facility be built in the 300 to 350 acre site in the rural townland of Tooman near Lusk in north County Dublin.
The huge site, which is adjacent to the M1 motorway around 12 kilometres from Swords, was recommended from a shortlist of six-possible sites around the Capital. Fingal County Council said it was aware of local residents and landowners concerns and would be meeting with them over the next few days.
It is believed there are around 25 houses close to the preferred site. Gilbert Power, director of services with Fingal County Council, said the delivery of the landfill at Fingal is an essential element of the Dublin Waste Management Strategy.
He said: "The need for a new residual landfill for the Dublin region was identified during the early stages of the development of the Dublin Waste Management Strategy. RPS MCOS limited were appointed to carry out the landfill survey for the entire county of Dublin.
"They have now made their recommendation to us and we in Fingal County Council will need some time to consider their recommendations." The council, which is working on behalf of the Dublin region, has said it would be closing the existing landfill at Ballealy near Lusk by 2008.
The consultants shortlisted six areas around the Dublin region before they recommended the Tooman region The shortlist included the Loughbarn area, just outside Skerries, Annsbrook and Loughmain/Brownstown in Fingal and two other areas in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown region.
The council said the decision was pending an Environmental Impact Assessment, a waste licence application and a planning application.
PA