Plans for Wicklow biomethane plant refused after raft of public submissions

Irish Independent

2 days ago

Located on a 4.02 hectare greenfield site in Moneylane, the facility was proposed to generate 8,000 tonnes of solid digestate fibre and approximately 17,000 tonnes of liquid digestate concentrate from the biogas production via anaerobic digestion, a natural biological decomposition process that takes place in an oxygen-free environment, where micro-organisms break down organic matter.
Submitted by landowner/local dairy farmer Seoirse McGrath and Nephin Renewable Gas – Moneylane Limited, the c. 3,482 sqm development would have seen the construction of three digesters, two digestate storage structures and a part single-storey and part two-storey reception hall to accommodate a laboratory, along with an odour abatement plant, a weighbridge, an ESB substation, a two-storey office and administration building.
The applicants proposed that the plant would take in 90,000 tonnes of cattle slurry, manure, poultry litter, vegetable residues, drinks and dairy production residues and whole crop silage per year to produce renewable biomethane, which would be injected via a connection to the gas network into the grid, with the digestate (liquid and solid) resulting from the process converted into biobased fertiliser products to be utilised on farms supplying the facility.
Like similar facilities proposed across the country, a significant number (21) of public submissions were made on the application, citing concerns about pollution, environmental issues, health, sustainability of feedstock, traffic and the facility's rural setting.
Among the concerns highlighted by one submission were the applicants failure to carry out a comprehensive Natura Impact Statement, fully assess the significant visual, noise, and odour impacts, the 'inappropriate siting of an industrial-scale energy facility within an unzoned, agricultural rural area', and the 'wholly inadequate road network surrounding the site'.
It also noted the absence of any 'detailed, enforceable plan for the collection, removal, and land-spreading of digestate', the failure to adequately address the hydrological risks arising from surface water runoff, the misrepresentation of local support and feedstock sourcing, and the siting of a high-capacity, anaerobic digestion facility within 'as little as 60 metres of occupied residential dwellings'.
Refusing the application, a Wicklow County Council planner noted issues with the development being in a rural location, 'insufficient details' around the sourcing of base materials, and that the L-6189 road is not suited to accommodate HGVs (Heavy Goods Vehicles).
'The proposed development is located in a rural area, which is a relatively short distance from zoned employment lands,' the planner commented.
'It is considered that the applicant has failed to provide a robust justification and demonstration that the proposed development should be, or is required to be, located in a rural area, and would not be suitable for locating on nearby zoned lands.
'In addition, the applicant has provided insufficient details of the suppliers and their relative locations, and the type and quantity of input from each source and how this can be guaranteed going forward to serve the proposed 90,000 tonnes of feedstock per annum requirement.
'The proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of a serious traffic hazard due to inadequate sightlines both from the proposed entrance and regarding limited forward visibility and stopping distances on the narrow L-6189 road.
'In addition, the L-6189 is narrow and cannot safely accommodate proposed HGV trucks passing other vehicles, where the use of the informal passing bays would not be acceptable, particularly where their safe operation is reliant on the maintenance of existing hedgerows.'
The applicant may appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála up to four weeks from the date of WCC's decision (May 28).