Planners make decision on €100m gas plan for Limerick

LIMERICK council planners have made a decision on a proposed €100m biomethane plant in the south of the county.

More than 420 people have written to the local authority's planning department expressing both support and opposition to the proposals from CycleØ.

The green energy firm, based in London, is seeking permission to develop on land near Bruree.

It wants to construct what it describes as an "anerobic digestion facility" to provude renewable biomethane gas, CO2 and fertiliser from organic material.

The development, planned for across a vast site, also includes a digestive storage tank, a boiler, gas treatment system and safety flare.

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A concerned group of residents was set up in response to the proposals, with concerns raised over the impact on their quality of life, increased traffic, plus pressure on the electrical supply and contamination of the local water stock.

Conversely, last week Limerick Live revealed that ahead of the deadline for submissions, there was a surge of late support from people, many of whom had identified themselves as farmers.

Among the places they are drawn from are Ballyagran, Bruree, Athlacca, Granagh, Bruff and Kilfinny.

They focused on “valuable and sustainable solution” for the management of farm manures and slurries.

“The availability of a local anaerobic digestion facility would make it easier for farmers to manage organic waste in a way that is efficient, environmentally responsible and aligned with future agricultural policy,” one of the submissions reads.

Others in support of the proposals have outlined the jobs it could generate, and the benefit existing businesses will feel.

This Wednesday afternoon, Limerick City and County Council planners have written to CycleØ, plus the groups and individuals who both supported and opposed the plan to inform of the decision they have made.

That decision is to refuse to grant permission to the development.

Planners have ruled the proposed development would "materially affect and interfere with the character of the historic landscape" associated with Glenbrook House, a protected structure, and its demesne.

The planning authority said it is not satisfied what is proposed would not result in adverse impacts on residential and public amenity in the surrounding area.

"Given the nature of the proposed development and the potential of odour arising from the storage, handling and processing of organic materials and digestate, it is considered the proposal would be prejudicial to public health and seriously injurious to the residential and environmental amenity of the area," the planners added in the report.

Council backed up concerns over increased traffic in the area and the impact the development could have on local ecosystems.

One of the groups which objected was Environmental Trust Ireland, headed by city solicitor Michelle Hayes, who welcomed the council's ruling.

In the objection, the group argued the Environmental Impact Assessment CycleØ had undertaken was "inadequate", and added: "There is a lack of clarity and a dearth of information in the documentation provided in relation to what exactly is being proposed."

The group also claimed the development is in breach of the local development plan, which governs what can be built where.

"If permitted, it would cause detriment to the environment and human health, biodiversity loss and impact visual and scenic amenity," the group added.

CycleØ declined to comment.