About RAIN.

protecting our Future, our Health, our heritage.

who we are.

Residents Against Incineration (RAIN) is a community-led campaign group formed by residents of Benburb and surrounding areas. We stand united against the proposed £9 million thermal waste-to-energy plant on Milltown Road.

Our mission is to protect our community's health, safety, and unique environment from industrial degradation. We believe this development poses severe risks to our local area, including toxic air emissions, heavy industrial traffic on narrow rural roads, and long-term damage to local agriculture.

Through public meetings, peaceful advocacy, and direct engagement with planning authorities, RAIN gives a voice to the people. Together, we are working to preserve the historic beauty and well-being of Benburb for generations to come.

our core concerns.

Planning Policy — Concerns that the proposal is inconsistent with key planning policies, including PPS21, PPS11 and PPS3, particularly in relation to sustainable development, waste management, access and rural development.

Carbon Footprint — Waste incineration is not a low-carbon technology. Transporting waste to a rural site, reliance on fossil fuels and the substantial embodied carbon associated with construction all raise significant climate concerns.
Public Health — Concerns regarding emissions and persistent pollutants associated with waste incineration, alongside the potential health impacts and long-term management of hazardous by-products such as bottom ash.
Agriculture & Fisheries — The proposed site is surrounded by productive agricultural land, while the nearby Blackwater River is an important angling resource flowing into Lough Neagh. We are concerned about potential impacts on farming, livestock, food production and water quality.
Natural & Built Heritage — The development sits within an area of significant environmental, cultural and historical importance, including local wildlife sites, the Blackwater Valley, the Ulster Canal, Benburb Priory and Castle, and the historic Battle of Benburb site.
Economic Impact — We are concerned that the development could negatively affect property values, future housing opportunities, agriculture and agri-food businesses, tourism, outdoor recreation and investment confidence across the wider Mid Ulster area.
Traffic & Road Safety — Additional Heavy Goods Vehicle movements would place further pressure on narrow rural roads and existing infrastructure, including routes used by National Cycle Route 95, the Mid Ulster Cycle Route and the Ulster Canal Cycle Trail.
Nuisance & Quality of Life — A proposed 24-hour operation raises concerns around noise, odour, vibration, vermin and the overall residential amenity, health and wellbeing of nearby communities.
Emergency Planning — We remain concerned about the emergency preparedness required for a facility handling hazardous waste in a rural location, particularly in relation to fire, severe weather events and potential contamination of groundwater and nearby watercourses.

Our position is simple: development should not come at the expense of public health, our environment, our communities or the future of the Blackwater Valley.