Call for ‘suitable site’ for bottle and clothes bank in Johnstown area in Meath
Efforts are underway to secure a “suitable” location for a bottle and clothes bank in the Old Johnstown and Johnstown area in Meath, as local residents face ongoing inconvenience due to the absence of a nearby recycling facility.
Navan councillor Emer Tóibín has said she is actively working with Meath County Council to identify a space for the new bring bank, which would provide local access to glass and textile recycling.
“At present, residents are having to travel to the Kells Road facility or to Mullaghboy to dispose of glass and unwanted clothes. This is far from ideal and doesn’t serve the needs of a growing community,” Cllr Tóibín said on a social media post.
The possibility of placing the facility in the SuperValu car park had been explored, Cllr Tóibín said the store confirmed that “the space there is already under significant pressure.”
“While planning permission for the proposed new Aldi store in Johnstown did include a condition for the provision of bring banks, that development has now been overturned by An Bord Pleanála, and so that option is no longer available.”
Last month, plans for an Aldi supermarket on Metges Road in Johnstown, Navan, was refused by An Bord Pleanala.
Meath County Council had previously granted planning permission to Byrnell Developments Ltd for a single storey retail food store of 1,840 sqm (1,315 sqm net retail), but the planning board overturned that decision.
Cllr Tóibín added: “Meath County Council is eager to provide this much-needed service locally, but with very limited land under its direct control, no suitable site has yet been secured.”.
She is now appealing to the community for assistance in identifying a potential site or property owner who might be willing to host the facility.
“If you are aware of a location that could accommodate a small bring bank, or know a property owner who may be open to discussing it, please get in touch,” she said.
“The Council would be very happy to engage with the property owner directly with a view to installing and maintaining the facility.”