Controls needed for biogas plants
The complete lack of regulation for the planning, running and monitoring of anaerobic digestion biogas plants is seriously detrimental to the safeguarding of local rural communities against endangerment and their quality of life, including possible health issues, a public meeting in Birdhill has been told.
Close to 100 local residents and members of the broader community attended the meeting organised by Annaholty Birdhill Bio Gas Community Group at the Community Hall, Birdhill, to discuss the proposed development of a biogas plant at Annaholty and Thornhill.
The meeting - the second public meeting in less than a month - to discuss the proposed development by Annaholty Green Energy Limited, was attended by Cllr Fiona Bonfield, Cllr Pamela Quirke O'Meara and Pat Shanahan, Thurles.
An invitation to the developer to send a representative to the meeting was declined.
The proximity of the proposed bio-energy plant to residences, the inadequate local road structure for the increased traffic, odours, fire, explosion, pollution risks and likely impact on quality of life were raised as issues of great concern.
The closing date for making submissions to Tipperary County Council in relation to the planning application is Monday week next, November 24, and those with issues were encouraged to register their concerns through a submission.
‘COMPLETELY DIFFERENT’
John Delaney, Chairman of Annaholty Birdhill Bio Gas Community Group, said: “I want to make it very clear that we are not opposed to AD plants on farms, but what is being proposed for Annaholty is on a completely different commercial scale and we are greatly concerned that there is no regulation in place for the adequate protection of the community, which is a crazy situation.”
He said that they felt it necessary to voice “strong opposition” to the current situation of industrial scale “AD plants being pushed through in our communities without adequate regulation and guidelines”.
He pointed out the closeness of the site to the major roads, the M7 and old N7.
He said the site was surrounded by private residences in close proximity, which were within a potential danger zone for explosions, fire, and any possible pollution hazards.
Substantial state funding is being provided through Government grant aid for AD plants, but the Government failure to have regulations in place to safeguard the interest of local communities is not acceptable, the meeting was told.
He said the proposal before Tipperary County Council is for a 50,000 tonnes per annum AD plant at Annaholty.
The application is based on a site covering 30 acres, which is multiple times the land area required for the proposed plant, but the developer has not ruled out expansion on the site at a later stage.
He told the gathering that serious operational problems have been documented in relation to AD plants in this country, citing a number of them, and alleged that while conditions are being attached to planning and monitored by the EPA as required, the authority does not have the power to order the closure of an operation, even where recurring problems remain unresolved for a prolonged period of time.
‘LEFT HELPLESS’
He warmed that “without adequate regulations and monitoring in place with power of enforcement”, communities are left helpless in getting a resolution when problems arise. The developers are seeking a 10-year permission to construct the plant at Thornhill and Annaholty, to process up to 50,000 tonnes per annum.
The plans include two primary anaerobic digesters 18.5m high, one secondary digester-storage tank and one digestate storage tank both 16.5m high, two manure reception tanks 12m high, additional tanks for processing and storage, including pasteurisation and cooling tanks and associated facilities, laboratory and offices.
Submissions in relation to concerns over the proposed development can be made in writing or email to Tipperary County Council quoting planning reference number 2561056, accompanied by a payment of €20.
The decision on the application is due to be given in mid-December.