Concerns aired on biogas plant
The promoters of what would be Ireland’s largest biogas plant met with steadfast opposition at a public meeting in Toomevara last week.
There were heated exchanges and at times comments of a personal nature as local residents vented their anger over a proposal to build the facility in Ballymackey.
The meeting - which lasted more than three-and-a-half hours - was organised by local farmer Tim Cullinan, who is proposing to build a plant capable of processing 200,000 tonnes of animal biproducts per annum. In attendance were several members of the team behind the project, who attempted to set out the merits of this renewable energy development, which would provide enough gas to heat 9,000 homes.
But the speakers encountered sustained opposition from members of the local community, supported by elected representatives including North Tipperary’s three TDs.
They were all of the view that Ballymackey is the wrong location for the proposal due to the size and scale envisaged and the impact it would have on the local road network. Concerns were also raised over impact on residential amenity, including odour, and on local water courses. Many speakers doubted the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to safeguard their concerns.
Mr Cullinan said he wanted the local community to benefit from the proposed biogas facility and wanted people to get involved in the project.
But local resident Ken Hall said members of the community had written to the project promoters six times this year and had until now been “ignored”.
“It’s about money and greed,” Mr Hall responded, claiming that Mr Cullinan would be the only beneficiary. “None of us in Ballymackey want this.”
He met with applause as several other speakers sought to ridicule the community gain concept. Another local man, Michael Kenneally asked whether there was any plan to build a school or playing pitch or connect local houses to the gas network. He said the promoters of the project would “get rich” and Gas Networks Ireland would benefit, but the local community would be left living in the vicinity of the plant and having to contend with any problems that arise.
A woman in the audience asked Mr Cullinan why he was going ahead with the project “against all your neighbours”.
‘NO SECRET BACKERS’
Mr Cullinan was repeatedly asked about an investor behind the project and whether his intention was to sell the site on once planning permission is secured. “I am personally funding this from our companies,” Mr Cullinan said.
No investor will sit down until we are at that stage. There are no secret backers.”
The former IFA national chairman assured those present that the EPA would have oversight of all processes at the biogas plant. But Nenagh man Kevin McSherry was the first of several speakers to cast doubt on the enforcement capability of the EPA, citing the recent fish kill in the Blackwater river in Co Cork.
“Anglers all over the country have lost all confidence in the EPA,” said Mr McSherry, proprietor of the Open Season shop in Nenagh. “It looks to me that if you get a discharge licence from the EPA, it’s a polluter’s charter. People have to have utter confidence that if this is to proceed, the EPA would police it properly. At the moment, it’s not fit for purpose.”
Carmel Kelleher of the National Biogas Concern Group said the Government has failed to put in place regulations where biomethane is concerned, so the EPA would not have the power to take action against a non-compliant plant. The Ballymackey proposal should not be discussed until the regulations are in place, she argued.
‘NOT FAIR’
The meeting also heard from an environmental scientist, Áine McCann, who suggested that it was “not fair to land” a proposal like this on local people who were trying to get on with their lives. She queried the site selection process and was one of a number of speakers to ask whether any alternative sites were looked at.
Tom Berkery, a former councillor from the locality, pointed out that several figures were mentioned at the meeting with regard to daily truck movements to and from the proposed facility. But there was no mention of bringing local roads up to the standard required for such numbers.
Concluding the meeting, Gerry Boyle, a former director of Teagasc, thanked all present for their contribution. He said maintained that the project is at a “very early stage”; the promoters had referred it to an Coimisiún Pleanála to see whether it would be determined by the commission as a Strategic Infrastructure Development, or whether a planning application should be made to Tipperary Co Council. The commission’s decision is awaited, Mr Boyle said.