State’s first bio-energy waste plant turned down

AN Bord Pleanála has turned down a controversial plan to build Ireland’s first anaerobic waste digester, much to the delight of a small community in Co Cork.

Valeco Ltd, a subsidiary of Bioverda, had planned to construct the €70 million facility on a 17-acre site at Ballard, near Araglin, but ran up against stiff opposition from locals who were concerned that it was less than 500 yards from a national school and on roads which were unsuitable for heavy traffic.

The company proposed to treat non-hazardous organic wastes and turn them into ‘green’ electricity. In its submission, it said that around 250,000 tonnes of waste would be processed at the site each year.