Biogas plan is ‘bananas’

Call for national pause of renewable energy applications

A local TD has slammed a proposal to build one of Ireland's largest biogas plants in Ballymackey as “bananas”.

Deputy Alan Kelly was speaking at a packed public meeting called by the Ballymackey Biogas Concern Group on Monday week last. He was one of several local representatives to voice criticism of the proposal and to assure those present that they would join in objection in the event of a planning application being submitted.

Nobody at the meeting in the local community centre spoke in favour of the proposal. Chairing the meeting, Henry Mooney of the Ballymackey Biogas Concern Group said the community had been canvassed with door-to-door calls; more than 80% of people were against the proposal, he said.

Affirming at the outset that the group is not opposed to renewable energy or biogas, Mr Mooney said Ballymackey is not a suitable location for a facility on the scale proposed, which would equate to the combined size of eight GAA pitches. It would take in four times the amount of waste permitted at the nearby landfill - some 200,000 tonnes per year - resulting in over five times the current amout of heavy duty vehicles on local roads. Further concerns include odour and air emissions, risk of explosion, and risk to water, biodiversity and built heritage.

Mr Mooney outlined the steps taken by his committee of 10 after local farmer Tim Cullinan informed his neighbours about the biogas proposal earlier this year. They had learned of a plan to build a gas pipeline co connect the facility with the national grid on the N52 outside Nenagh. Engagements with Gas Networks Ireland had intensified since January of this year.

Mr Mooney said efforts have been made at local and national level to find out more about the proposal. He described the lack of response as “concerning”.

The Ballymackey Biogas Concern Group had formed a WhatsApp group of over 160 local members. It had engaged with other groups facing similar issues in other parts of the country and joined them in meeting with TDs and senators to discuss these issues in Dublin recently.

'THIS IS A BATTLE'

Three guests speakers attended Monday night's meeting, including Áine McCann, an environmental scientist from Belfast; Paddy Byrne, who was involved in a campaign against a biogas plant planned in Ballyvass, Co Kildare, and Ciara Carroll, campaigner with the Limerick Biogas Concern Group.

Mr Byrne told the meeting that the plant he campaigned against would be just 30% of the size of the one proposed for Ballymackey. He encouraged those present to keep organised and keep communicating in readiness of a planning application.

"This isn't going to go away; this is a battle," Mr Byrne told the meeting.

He was one of several speakers to outline a lack of government regulation where renewable energy facilities are concerned. Yet grants worth millions of euros are available to develop such facilities so that Ireland can reach its climate action targets. "That's why people are jumping at it," he said.

Ms Carroll's campaign succeeded in gathering over 330 objections to a biogas facility planned for Cappinahane, Co Limerick. This was the highest volume of objections ever received by Limerick Co Council, which last May refused planning permission for the development. The developer has now appealed the case to An Bord Pleanála.

Ms Carroll said the people of Ballymackey would need to inform themselves about planning laws and guidelines before submitting as many individual objections as possible. They would also need funding.

NATIONAL GUIDELINES

Among the contributions from the floor was a call for the elected representatives to seek a pause on planning applications for biogas developments until such time as national guidelines are in place. Ms Carroll mentioned that a number of local authorities have already done this in respect of windfarms.

Cllr Séamie Morris said local councillors could help by tabling a notice of motion to that effect for Tipperary Co Council. In agreement was Cllr Fiona Bonfield, though she said the council would most likely refer the matter to central government. It would fall to Tipperary's TDs to pursue the matter at national level, she said.

Deputy Kelly had been engaging with the government on the matter. Local authorities are "completely inconsistent" where renewable energy planning applications are concerned and he believed the Ballymackey proposal should be "paused" until such time as there are national guidelines.

Deputy Kelly voiced his opposition to the Ballymackey biogas proposal, saying the lack of community engagement from those behind it is concerning. "When engagement is not happening, you know it's something to worry about," he said.

Local TD Ryan O'Meara had also been making engagements on the issue at a national level. Among these were queries on national guidelines and requirements for public consultation where public grants are received.

Having received numerous representations from people in his area about the biogas proposal, Deputy O'Meara said the key concern is the impact on local roads infrastructure. He did not know if a planning application would be made to Tipperary Co Council or directly to An Bord Pleanála, but "this is going to go on for some time", he told the meeting.

Cllrs Joe Hannigan, Michael O'Meara, Louise Morgan Walsh, JP O'Meara and, from neighbouring Offaly, Peter Ormond also spoke against the proposed biogas plant.

Thanking all for their attendance and support, Mr Mooney said the members of his group would set up workshops to help people make objections in the event of a planning application being lodged.