Hearing set for proposed waste plant

AN ORAL hearing into a proposed animal rendering plant in Tipperary which would be located close to a world-famous, horse-training establishment will get under way next Tuesday.

The hearing follows a decision by South Tipperary County Council to refuse planning permission for the bioenergy/waste processing plant — which would deal with BSE-risk material as part of its work.

The proposed project promoters Green Organics Energy (GOE) consortium, and objectors — who want a cast-iron refusal from the board — have appealed.

Among the objectors are trainer Aidan O’Brien and his wife Anne-Marie, whose Ballydoyle base is two miles from the site of the proposed plant at Rosegreen.

Local campaign group South Tipperary for Clean Industry (STCI) Ltd and local politicians called on the people to attend the hearing at Clonmel’s Hotel Minella.

According to STCI, the plant proposed by GOE — made up of National By-Products/Avglade, Bioverda/National Toll Roads and Dawn Meats — would process almost half of the slaughterhouse waste produced in Ireland.

STCI spokesman Douglas Butler said the campaign received “enormous support” from hundreds of objections.

“One final push can defeat this proposal once and for all but we need everyone to make an effort to attend. The oral hearing will run over a number of days and we will require a presence every day to confirm to the Bord Pleanála inspector there is huge opposition to this proposal.”

Deputy Martin Mansergh said: “We need to show the inspector three things — the level of opposition; that this proposal is incompatible with the neighbouring agricultural and equine industries and that there is no government interest in or support for this specific project.”

South Tipperary county council chairman Cllr John Fahey said: “I would hope others would show solidarity by attending for at least one day.”

Independent TD Michael Lowry said: “I would be hopeful An Bord Pleanála will uphold the council’s decision which was arrived at after very careful evaluation and consideration.”

Labour Party senator Phil Prendergast urged members of the public to attend the hearing and said the proposal was “a very serious threat to our environment”.