Extent of opposition to Mayo biogas facility is revealed

Up to 250 submissions have been lodged to Mayo County Council by those opposing a proposal to build an agricultural biogas renewable energy facility in Swinford.

The number has been confirmed by the Swinford Biogas Concern Group that is opposing the project on a number of grounds.

The deadline on which to make a submission was August 16.

A spokesperson for the group stated: "Thank you to the people of Swinford who did their own research and came to the same conclusion - that the site in Carrowbaun/Lislackagh is the wrong location to build a biogas facility."

Among the main concerns are road access and safety, odours, emissions and pollution risk to the Spaddagh River.

It was recently revealed that over 1,200 people had signed a petition against the plant, which is proposed to be constructed by local-based Moy Valley Biogas on a site adjacent to the old town dump, just off the N5 outside Swinford.

In documentation lodged with the council, the promoters said the facility will take in agricultural energy crops such as grass silage, multi species sward and whole crop silage as well as animal manures such as cattle slurry and farmyard manures.

The facility will generate biogas from these inputs, which will then be upgraded to biomethane gas and sold to local users to decarbonise their industries.

The by-product will be processed into a sustainable bio fertiliser which will be sold back to the farmers who provide the feedstock to the plant.

This facility would help to provide a sustainable income for these families, directly and indirectly, to local towns and village, thus providing a major benefit economically to the region.

A decision on the planning application is expected to be made by the council later this year.