Controversial bio-diesel plant gets go-ahead

CONTROVERSIAL plans for Ireland’s first bio-diesel production plant have been approved despite the advice of a senior planner.

Farmer Dennis Howard has been cleared to develop the estimated €20 million facility on an 11-acre site he owns in Farrahy, Kildorrey near Mitchelstown.

The project was approved despite a recommendation from senior executive planner Padraig Moore that the facility be refused.

He cited concerns about a vague Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the location of a chemical manufacturing facility in an unzoned and unserviced site in a rural agricultural area, and unlike similar European plants, its distance from raw materials.

Local residents said the decision had left them “reeling”. Up to 135 separate objections - including a petition of over 400 signatures - were lodged with the county council.

Mr Howard considered building the facility on sites in Ringaskiddy and Foynes.

But in his report, Mr Moore said it appeared the over-riding reason for selecting the Kildorrery site was because the applicant owned the land.

“No evidence has been presented to date to indicate that a serious effort was made to properly assess alternative sites,” Mr Moore said.

“Having investigated other such plants around Europe, it appears that location close to major sources of raw materials is a critical factor in site selection.

“This was not the case with site selection in this case.”

He also questioned the detail of the EIS.

“It should be noted that the sourcing of raw materials as outlined in the EIS is very vague and unclear.”

Mr Moore said locating such a facility in a rural area would materially contravene the council’s development plan. He recommended the project be turned down, but it was given the go-ahead with 30 conditions attached.

Tony Gallagher, spokesperson for the Kildorrery and Shanballymore Concerned Residents Group, said residents were stunned.

“To grant permission against the advice of a senior planner is unbelievable,” he said.

“The key issues raised by this senior planner have not been addressed by the county manager.”

He praised Cllr Aileen Pyne (FG) for her support.

“The other politicians have stayed silent on the issue,” he said.

Residents are considering their options. An appeal to An Bórd Pleanala has not been ruled out.

Mr Howard must secure an EPA licence before production can begin.

If cleared, he will source animal fat, waste cooking oil and rapeseed oil and convert it to bio-diesel, an environmentally friendly fuel used to run vehicles.

The plant will operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week, producing up to 100,000 tonnes of biodiesel annually. Up to 20 people will be employed there.