Biogas plant plan on Limerick/Tipperary border draws objections

A PLANNING application for a major biogas renewable energy facility near Birdhill has been deemed incomplete by Tipperary County Council.

In a letter to developers Annaholty Green Energy, council planners have stated they believe the application to not be finished due to the lack of safety information regarding vehicle movements from the old Dublin Road into the local road where the project is planned.

Council also want to know if Birdhill National School was considered in its assessment of impacts and human health, plus other impacts on noise and vibration.

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The firm is seeking a 10-year permission to construct two anaerobic digesters towering 18 metres high close to the Limerick border.

The proposals - which will see the processing of 50,000 tonnes of agricultural feedstock each year - also involve the building of one storage tank, with a dome height of 16.5 metres, one digestate storage tank also with a height of 16.5 metres.

Two, 12 metre high manure reception tanks are planned.

There would be five silage clamps, a storage shed, a rainwater harvesting tank, a fire water storage tank, a plant room, one biofuel tank and a diesel tank.

The project, in Thornhill and Annaholty, Birdhill, has proven unpopular, with almost 200 people contacting Tipperary council planners, mainly expressing concern.

In that number are staff of Birdhill National School, its board of management, the local soccer club, and a newly formed alliance, Birdhill Biogas Concern Group.

The Tidy Village committee has also expressed concern as have councillors.

Among the concerns raised are the smells any new biogas plant will produce, with “foul odours” from “slurry and chicken” litter mentioned.

In a letter to council, principal Miriam Kennedy wrote “We would abhor a situation whereby windows have to remain closed and/or pupils and staff cannot access the outdoor spaces at break-times. Movement breaks and fresh air are vital to all during their school day.” Her letter was signed by the 17 other school staff.

Traffic congestion around local narrow roads was also mentioned by residents.

And concerns were raised over the use of a gas flare in close proximity to both the M7 motorway and in a heavily forested and residential area.

Annaholty Green Energy declined to comment.

Agents for the company have previously stated: “The proposed development will support sustainable energy production in light of the climate emergency through renewable gas production, bio-fertiliser production and carbon dioxide capture.”