North Mayo biogas decision upheld following appeal

A PLANNING decision granting permission for a renewable energy project in north Mayo - an anaerobic digestion (ad) biogas facility and associated gas pipeline - has been upheld on appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

The facility proposes using locally sourced silage and slurry as feedstock to generate biogas for export to the national grid, with residual digestate being available for use locally as bio-fertiliser.

The development address encompasses a number of townlands - Lisglennon, Ballybroony, Coonealmore, Coonealcauraun, Rathrooen, Culleens, Laghtadawannagh and Farrannoo, Ballina.

The project is being developed by Lisglennon Ad Limited.

Mayo County Council approved the project.

Two third party appeals were submitted in respect of the grant of permission, one being the Asahi Local Residents Association.

Appeal grounds included impacts on residential amenity, traffic, emissions, noise, odour, as well as visual impact on the rural landscape and water environment.

The project includes two grass silage storage clamps, an access and circulation tract from the L1110, new site entrance on the Mullafarry Road, and a pipeline of c.8.6km located in the public road and verges to connect the facility to the national grid north of Ballina.

Ancillary developments include a site office building, weighbridge, attenuation tank and on-site drainage.

A council planner's report set out how the plant could handle up to 42,500 tonnes per annum of grass silage and up to 18,000 tonnes of slurry. These are maximum figures and are likely to be lower.

The farmer behind the company plans to initially provide much of the ‘fuel’ required, and then source more from nearby farms.

In its ruling to grant permission, subject to conditions, the appeals board found that the project would support national and regional renewable energy policy objectives and would not seriously injure the visual or residential amenities of the area, was acceptable in terms of traffic and safety, and would not be likely to have significant effects on the environment.