Residents of one of Derry’s most picturesque locations claim the pollution around their homes is getting worse.

People living at Culmore Point say they are concerned at the increasing levels of pollution which they claim is a result of the large level of industrial activity on the other side of Lough Foyle.

The houses at Culmore Point are located opposite a number of large industrial sites, including the Londonderry Port.

Residents at Culmore Point have also called for the findings of an independent report into the levels of pollution around their homes to be made public.

The Derry News revealed last year that the publication of the report had been delayed because of divisions over its findings. The report was commissioned in 2014 by Derry City Council.

Ben Cave Associates Ltd, which is based in Leeds, was asked to carry out a Health Impact Study in the Culmore, Maydown and Strathfoyle areas.

The study was prompted by concerns among residents in these areas that their health may have been adversely affected over the years by the high level of industrial activity near their homes.

The study was completed last year and had been due to be ratified at a meeting last July by Derry City and Strabane District Council, which replaced Derry City Council in April 2015.

However, the Derry News revealed last August that one of the largest businesses operating in the area covered by the health study had described its findings as 'deeply flawed'.

As a result, the Londonderry Port & Harbour took legal action to block the publication of the report in its current form.

A letter from the Port’s legal representatives was sent to the local council highlighting their concerns about the study.

Among the businesses consulted were Londonderry Port, Coolkeeragh Power Station, Du Pont and the Foyle Food Group.

In its 59-page report, which has been seen by the Derry News, Ben Cave Associates said its research had considered whether people might be experiencing health effects as a result of exposure to industrial activity in the areas covered.

“We heard from residents who report their health and wellbeing as being adversely affected by different sources of pollution associated with proximity to industrial facilities,” the study states.

“People described exposure to poor air quality, night-time noise, light pollution, odour, infestation by pests and community severance from industrial traffic.”

In their report, Ben Cave Associates said they had conducted consultation events with residents in the three communities.

“We have reviewed information provided by all stakeholders; we have spoken with businesses operating in Lisahally and Culmore and with officers from Derry City Council and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

“No single business is responsible for all the impacts experienced by residents.

“However, it is important for each individual business and for the regulators to understand the nature and combination of the exposures that residents describe.

“This also underlines the importance of an integrated approach to addressing the problems the communities face. Moreover, this integrated approach needs to involve all key stakeholders including the communities affected.”

The Ben Cave Associates report said that despite the adverse effects described by residents, they ‘spoke almost with one voice’ in supporting the presence of industry in the area and in recognising the importance of employment, job security and the potential for job creation, especially for local people.

“They also recognized the importance of the port economically for the whole population of Derry-Londonderry.

“Residents, however, were concerned about plans for expansion and requested that their voices be heard and their rights be respected.”

In a statement to the Derry News last August, a spokesperson for Londonderry Port said that it takes its environmental and health responsibilities very seriously.

“The Port welcomed the proposal by Derry City Council to carry out a Health Impact Assessment in respect of the health impacts of industries in the Strathfoyle, Maydown and Culmore areas and we have been keen and willing to provide assistance to those preparing the assessment and to make any relevant information about our operations available to the authors of the study,” the spokesperson said.

“The Port and Harbour Commissioners recognise the benefits to the local community, both residents and business, of a robust and detailed Health Impact Assessment which examines all of the factors impacting on the health and well-being of the residents of Strathfoyle, Maydown and Culmore but the draft report we have seen falls far short of achieving that.

“The draft report is fundamentally flawed in a number of important material respects and our legal representatives have written to the council setting out in a positive way how the draft report can be changed so as to meet the brief originally set out for the assessment by the council.”

The Derry News contacted Derry City and Strabane District Council and asked what the current situation is with the report.

A council spokesperson said the final report has been completed by the appointed consultants and circulated among a steering group which includes  local  community groups, businesses and statutory organisations.

"Since its completion the council received a representation from one of the stakeholders involved in the steering group regarding the final report and is involved in ongoing correspondence with them regarding their concerns.

"Council welcomes the views of the general public in relation to this issue and we will continue to liaise with community representatives and relevant stakeholders throughout this process.

"The Council  will continue to fulfil its statutory obligation to review industrial installations and ensure they comply with environmental permit conditions in respect to emissions to air. The Environmental Health Service will investigate public health nuisance complaints."

Among those waiting to read the Ben Cave report are John and Margaret Clarke (pictured above), whose home at Culmore Point is directly opposite some of the industrial units.

Mrs Clarke has born and raised in the house, and went on to raise her own family there.

She said she had noticed an increase in the level of pollution in recent months.

“We have lived with pollution here for more than 40 years, but there definitely has been an increase recently,” she said.

“We also got the coal dust which was from the ships coming in to the Port, but now we are also getting a light brown dust which no one is quite sure what is causing it.

“This falls on the houses and cars and, of course, people living here and also breathing this dust in.

“We have complained about this for many, many years but nothing seems to be done.”

Mr Clarke agreed with his wife that there had been a marked increase in the pollution levels in recent years.

He called for the findings of report commissioned by the local council to be made public.

“Everyone living in Culmore and the other areas affected by this industrial activity has a right to know what is in that report,” he said.

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