THE SLOVAK Environment Ministry has temporarily halted construction of a waste dump in the western Slovak town of Pezinok, ministry spokesperson Peter Višváder told the ČTK newswire on November 25. Pezinok citizens and other activists have been protesting against construction of the waste dump since it began, arguing that siting a dump close to the town’s historical city centre is illegal.
“This preliminary measure halts works at the construction site until the proceedings at the ministry are over,” said Višváder. He said it was possible that the decision of the Slovak Environmental Inspectorate, which had allowed construction of the dump, would be changed or cancelled.
The ministry is now assessing in an administrative proceeding the verdict of the inspectorate, which is subordinate to the Environment Ministry. Work on the dump will now be halted until the ministry issues a final verdict.
Marián Kočner, a representative of Westminster Brothers, the company behind the dump, has refused to comment on the issue.
The Regional Court in Bratislava will decide on the legality of the waste dump, whose construction should be finished on December 4.
Dump protesters gathered in front of the Slovak cabinet’s office on November 25 to protest against alleged foot-dragging in the proceedings at the Environment Ministry. The protesters reiterated that construction of the dump contravenes Pezinok’s urban master plan.
