Backers of biogas plan to appeal refusal

Backers of contentious plans for a biogas facility in Tullamore have said they are “confident” that An Bord Pleanála will overturn this week's knockback by Offaly County Council, stressing that local residents have nothing to fear from the project.

Confirming their intention to lodge an appeal, spokesperson for Strategic Power Ltd, Paul Carson, told the Offaly Independent yesterday (Thursday) they are “absolutely surprised and disappointed” with the local authority's decision not to support the development earmarked for Ballyduff, which would see a renewable biogas facility or anaerobic digestion plant put in place to produce renewable energy and organic fertiliser on a two-hectare site, close to the Clara Road.

The company estimated it would cost €10 and €12 million over 12 to 18 months to get it up and running.

The plan, a controversial one locally, attracted a total of 27 submissions from local people, primarily nearby residents and public representatives who all voiced concerns about the potential impact on the area on a huge range of issues.

These ranged from worries about odours from the plant to storage of biogas, risks of fire or explosions in the area to the storage of the manure to the lack of public consultation, traffic and the unsuitability of the location.

Unhappy with the level of environmental data supplied, the council said in the decision documents on Wednesday that “it was not satisfied having regard to the information contained in EIAR (a type of environmental assessment) that the proposed development would not cause serious air pollution which may have a significant impact on the environment and public health”

It was a move welcomed by Tullamore-based councillor Sean O'Brien, who supported the residents in Srah Road and adjoining areas who were very concerned about this development.

“We are genuinely at a loss as to how the county council came to this decision,” Mr Carson said on Thursday, stressing the suitability of the site for this type of anaerobic digestion facility which are commonplace in Northern Ireland where he is based, in England and across most of Europe.