GRANTED: Local objections ignored as major Tipperary biomass plant gets the green light

Tipperary County Council has given this project a green light

An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved planning permission for a significant biomass energy development in Tipperary.

The project, proposed by Nua Bioenergy, involves the construction of an anaerobic digestion facility on the former Lisheen Mine site near Thurles.

Tipperary County Council had already granted permission, and the case was later reviewed by An Coimisiún Pleanála following local appeals.

The company plans to install four primary digester tanks with a height of 7.6 metres. These would operate alongside three secondary digester tanks, each rising to 14.5 metres.

The overall design also includes four feed hoppers, four technical rooms, two biogas conditioning units, and a range of process, storage and buffer tanks at different heights.

All of these elements are to sit within a containment bund set three metres below ground level. The proposal features substantial feedstock storage, which will take the form of three storage clamps and two sheds measuring 500 square metres each.

The development also outlines a single storey building of 3,890 square metres that will accommodate fertiliser processing and storage. This section of the plant is planned to include digestate dewatering, fertiliser pasteurisation and loading areas for the bio-based product.

In addition, the project provides for a single storey office building of 105 square metres. This will contain office space, a meeting room, control and laboratory areas, welfare rooms, a storeroom and a first aid facility. Bin storage is also included.

Local objections were submitted as part of the appeal. Residents expressed concern about potential reductions in property value, possible negative effects on local air quality and the risk of surrounding fields becoming flooded.