Tensions rise over after planning permission for a biogas plant in Tipperary was refused

After planning permission for a biogas plant in Tipperary was refused, an appeal has landed on the desk of An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Roadstone Limited aimed to bring a biogas plant to life at its Killough quarry in Holycross, just outside Thurles.

Spanning 6.3 hectares, the proposed facility would harness the power of microscopic organisms to convert animal feed into biomethane, fueling the drive toward renewable energy.

The council turned down the proposal, citing unanswered questions about road safety and potential environmental threats.

"The planning authority is not satisfied that an adequate level of information has been provided on which to make an informed assessment of the risks of the development to the environment and its impact on surrounding land use,” the council said. Planners also expressed concerns about driver visibility at the facility entrance and cautioned that approval could compromise road safety.

"The planning authority is not satisfied that the works proposed to achieve the required sightlines can be undertaken notwithstanding the details submitted.”

READ ALSO: NEWS: Company appeal Tipperary County Council planning permission refusal

Both Roadstone and the Killough Community Group have taken their cases to the planning board, each hoping for a different outcome.

In its appeal, Roadstone argued that shifting a stop line and adding new road markings would address visibility issues, without disturbing the surrounding land.

"The applicant notes this is an established access, which has served the existing development for many years, and is not aware of any historical collisions, safety concerns, or evidence that would give rise to a traffic hazard or risk to public safety,” an agent acting on behalf of Roadstone said.

The agent insisted that the plant was tailor-made for Killough Quarry, and no other site would do.

"This proposed plant is specific to the Killough Quarry location as its purpose is to provide a clean and renewable energy supply to the quarry site,” they said.

The appeal also said that Roadstone plans to set up biorenewable plants at five of its main quarries across the country. The biogas plant is seen as necessary for the company to reach its goal of zero emissions by 2050. However, the project would not meet the requirements of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015.

"The Tipperary County Council Climate Action Plan requires that developments demonstrate consistency with local decarbonisation targets. The [environmental report] provides no demonstration of alignment with local targets and fails to address the County Development Plan’s low-carbon objectives,” they said.

“The alternatives analysis does not meaningfully examine the Lisheen Bioeconomy Campus, which is expressly identified at the regional and national level as the appropriate site for bioeconomy development,” the group added.

The group raised alarms about road safety, noise, dust, air quality, and the use of explosives at the site, claiming that blasts have already left cracks in homes and damaged buildings.

Other concerns include water quality, wildlife, and insufficient communication with the local community.

An Coimisiún Pleanála is expected to decide on the appeal by July 8.