We must petition local authorities to say no to an application by A&N Fuels NI to process and screen coal on the Bay Road in Derry! 

Coal Processing and Screening in this area would be hazardous to public health and our natural environment. The site is located near to a green belt environmentally protected zone and in close proximity to popular residential and recreational areas. 

Derry has been identified as one of 31 towns and cities identified by the World Health Organisation as exceeding safe levels of fine particle pollutants known as PM2.5 in 2015. Therefore the processing of Coal would add to this already awful issue! 

It would be hypocritical of us to sit and do nothing to stop this when we as a society are facing a climate emergency and have made commitments to move away from coal as an energy and heating source.

I would encourage anyone who is interested or wishes to get involved to contact myself, Karl Duncan, on social media or the SDLP Youth Derry Branch which I am a representative of, and have launched this as a campaign.

I would also encourage everyone to write a letter or email stating your objection to coal processing and screening on the Bay Road to the Environment and Neighbourhoods Team, Derry and Strabane District Council, 98 Strand Road, BT48 7NN or environmentandneighbourhoods@derrystrabane.com 

Doing so will have you counted as an objection on the public consultation which will end on the 25th August. This will make ending the prospect of Coal Processing and Screening in Derry far easier!

Go raibh maith agat.