Port Update – 12th October 2020

Update from David Holmes, CEO Warrenpoint Port, “On Friday 9th October we met virtually with a number of local elected representatives and our business neighbours to brief them on plans to soften the visual aspect of the CO2 plant; the SPS Facility; and plans for further community engagement.

 

“In relation to the CO2 Plant, we are aware that a query has been raised about Nippon Gases consultation prior to award of planning.

Warrenpoint Port welcomes this query being successfully resolved if it helps to alleviate local concerns.

 

“We are very aware of concerns in the local community in relation to the visual aspect of the tanks. We are working with local stakeholders and Nippon Gases to look at ways to soften the visual appearance. We put forward some ideas to the elected representatives during the call, which will be fine-tuned in the coming weeks. These will be made available to the local community and our neighbours in Omeath via direct engagement with those who wish to; as well as on our website and social media.

 

The proposals include additional tree planting and mesh netting around the plant. We are however, waiting on artists impressions of what the DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) SPS (Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary) Centre at the site will look like. We need to see what impact this centre may have on the visual aspect from the Newry Road.

 

We discussed the SPS Centre which is necessary for the import of, particularly agri-food products, post Brexit. The Port would clearly prefer not to lose the land required for this centre, but we must comply with EU regulations.  It has now been confirmed that Warrenpoint is getting one of these facilities, although the timeframe for delivery is extremely tight. We are waiting on information about when work on site will commence and requesting artists impressions to share these with the local community.

 

We also discussed plans for officially launching ‘On Board’ in the coming weeks to ensure all those in the local community who wish to engage with Warrenpoint Port have the mechanism to do so.

 

We have also agreed to meet with the political representatives on a quarterly basis to update them on Port activities and; to have one to one engagement with them between each of the quarterly meetings.

 

Our Onboard@warrenpointharbour.co.uk email is now available to anyone who wishes to engage directly with the Port.”