Another attempt to establish a controversial biogas plant near Gort in Co. Galway is underway.
Earlier this year, Galway County Council refused to grant planning permission to Sustainable Bio-Energy Ltd. for the plant in the townlands of Ballynamantan, Kinincha and Glenbrack.
The company attempted to appeal that refusal to An Bord Pleanála, however the higher planning authority deemed the appeal invalid stating that it was received outside the appropriate timeframe.
Judicial Review
Sustainable Bio-Energy Ltd. took its case to the High Court where a Judicial Review ordered Galway County Council to quash the decision it made in January 2020 and re-issue its planning decision.
By doing so, this would allow the company the time needed to submit an appeal again.
The local authority re-issued its refusal of planning permission on December 2 and as a result, Sustainable Bio-Energy Ltd. has now lodged a fresh appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
Biogas development
The biogas plant would use anaerobic digestion technology to produce renewable energy and organic fertiliser.
The plant itself would consist of a two-storey office building; an electrical substation building; a feedstock reception building incorporating an airlock lobby; feedstock reception area; processing and mixing areas; pasteurisation vessels and heating technology; feedstock quarantine area; and a digestate separation area.
Included in the plans is a carbon dioxide processing building and an odour control system.
Permission is being sought for 10 years and it is a development that requires an Industrial Emissions Licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Opposition
While the company has stated that the biogas plant has the potential to create jobs in rural Ireland and contribute towards sustainable growth and decarbonisation, there has been substantial opposition to the proposal.
Public meetings, organised by Gort Biogas Concern Group, were called and while many objectors claim they are not against the idea of biogas, they have concerns about the location of the facility and any potential impact of the local environment.
An Environmental Impact Assessment Report Statement (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been submitted as part of the application.
An Bord Pleanála is due to make a decision on the future of the project by April 30, 2021.