Biogas plant ‘will not’ impact the area
The construction and operation of a major Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant “will not” have significant impact on the community, according to the developers in a new planning application for the proposed biogas generation unit near Birdhill.
The application by Annaholty Green Energy Limited is subsequent to an application by the firm last October for the development of an renewable gas facility on the 12.8ha site adjacent to the old N7 Birdhill-Limerick road at Thornhill and Annaholty.
The site, which is currently under forestry, runs beside the national gas supply pipeline on the R445 (old N7) and is therefore particularly suitable for connection of the gas produced to the network.
The new application, with some amendments on specific planning issues, is broadly similar to the application made last year and is for a bio-energy plant to process in the region of 50,000 tonnes per annum of agricultural feedstocks such as farmyard manures and slurries, poultry litter, maize and grass silage.
The application last year, for which 188 submissions were received by Tipperary County Council expressing a wide range of concerns by local residents, broader community, primary school and some semi state and other authority bodies, was deemed “incomplete”.
Annaholty Birdhill Biogas Community Group are understood to be studying the new application, which includes response from the company to the major issues raised in the submissions.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE OF JULY 29
The closing date for making a submission in relation to the new application is July 29, and a decision on the application is due on August 19.
Subsequent to the “incomplete” decision by Tipperary County Council last year, representatives of the development company met officials of the Planning Department, Tipperary County Council, for discussion on issues raised by the council planning department and submissions received.
The company response is included in a cover letter and documentation submitted with the new application.
On community concern for possible health issues for pupils attending the nearby Birdhill National School the application says that the school is 1.2km northeast of the site and “therefore, there will be no likely significant effects at Birdhill National School, during the construction or operation phases of the proposed development”.
The company states that the proposed development “will not significantly affect the Shannon (Lower) river waterbody and thus the Limerick City Water Supply and the proposed water supply project in Parteen” contrary to the concerns raised.
On community concerns for drainage, odour, vermin control, the strict regime to be operated for all controls has been outlined to ensure no issues should arise for the community within the area, with a large number of private houses within close proximity of the site.
On HGV traffic movement, provision has been included for a passing bay along the L94451 local road where the entrance will be located and traffic to and from the site will be between 7am and 7pm, Monday-Friday and 7am to 2pm on Saturday with no movement on Sundays and bank holidays.
It is specified that the L6016 local secondary road will not be used for accessing the proposed development.
The company has defended their decision not to opt to expand their existing plant at Shangolden, Co Limerick as an alternative.