Opposition grows to proposed biomethane plant in Limerick

RESIDENTS have mobilised against new plans to build a biomethane plant in their community.

As revealed by Limerick Live last year, CycleØ representatives were scoping out land across the county to build one of these plants.

It has settled on land at Cappanihane, Bruree, and has applied to Limerick City and County Council for permission to develop.

The firm wants to build what it describes as an “anaerobic digestion facility” to produce renewable biomethane gas, CO2 and fertiliser from organic material.

The mammoth development will stretch across a vast site, and will also include a pump house, a digestive storage tank, a boiler, a gas treatment system, and a safety flare.

There will also be other works included.

But there is massive concern around the proposals, with 15 local residents already writing to the council to object to it as of this Tuesday.

And locals have set up the Limerick Biogas Concern Group in response to the proposals.

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In a statement, the group said it acknowledges that while it sees biogas as a key renewable energy source, it has significant concerns regarding the location of the plant.

“The site is located at the junction of the parishes of Granagh-Ballingarry, Castletown-Ballyagran, and the Cappamore and Kilmallock electoral districts. Key issues raised include inadequate transport infrastructure, particularly the capacity of local L roads, the proximity to family homes and potential risks to wildlife and water eco-systems,” the group said in a statement.

They added there are fears around the demands the plant would make on local electricity and water resources.

Group members are also fearful of contamination of the local water supply,

“Repeated requests for public meetings to facilitate greater community awareness and participation have so far received unsatisfactory responses from CycleØ IE Limited, leaving residents with many unanswered questions,” the biogas concern group added.

For its part, CycleØ which is headquartered in London, has pointed out it did hold a public community engagement event at the Charleville Court Hotel back in December.

“We welcomed many local residents at the event and in several individual conversations held since, we have answered questions including those posed by members of the concern group,” a spokesperson said.

“Feedback received at the public event was considered and amendments considered within our plans,” they added.

CycleØ pointed out that as part of its application to Limerick City and County Council, it has carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment report.

The “comprehensive report”, they say, shows no negative impact on local wildlife or ecosystems.

“It also details all the mitigating factors to be employed that will manage any impact of traffic movements, noise and odours.

The plant will be self-sufficient in electricity and water with built-in rainwater recovery and self-contained water recovery and run-off production.” the firm added.

CycleØ, which builds, owns and operates plants across Europe, is building four new biomethane plants across Ireland as part of a €100m investment.

The company previously said its plant will be able to heat up to 3,000 homes a year, and new, green energy jobs will be created off the back of any planning approval.

Limerick City and County Council is scheduled to make a decision on the proposals by May 18.