Proposed waste plant ‘in national interest’

THE development of a animal byproducts and bio-energy plant in south Tipperary is “in the national interest”, promoters of the proposed facility said yesterday.

Green Organics Energy, a consortium made up of Bioverda , Avglade (National By-Products) and Dawn Meats, is seeking planning permission to build Ireland ‘s first bio-energy unit at a site near Rosegreen, between Cashel and Clonmel.

The plant would take 30% of the country’s animal by-products, render the material and develop enough energy to power 5,000 homes in the process, according to Green Organics Energy. South Tipperary County Council has already rejected the plan but, following appeal to An Bord Pleanála, an oral hearing started yesterday at Hotel Minella in Clonmel. The hearing is expected to take at least two weeks.

About 100 people attended the proceedings, which are being conducted by senior An Bord Pleanála inspector Derek Daly. Evidence regarding the environmental, health and traffic impacts of the proposed plant was given yesterday by a number of experts on behalf of the consortium.

Project manager for Green Organics Energy Paul Barrett said yesterday 215,000 tonnes would be processed every year in the plant, using thermal hydrolysis, and generate 15MW of electricity for the national grid and 50,000 tonnes of biodiesel.

Speaking afterwards, he said the country could not continue to export its animal by-products, such as meat and bonemeal, as it is currently doing, and that it was “in the national interest” to develop a bio-energy plant.

“If we build this project it will be copied worldwide. It will be another Irish export that we will be proud of,” he said.

Human health consultant Dr Martin Hogan told the hearing there would be “no health effects” as a result of any emissions from the plant into the air, while the overall potential human health impacts were “negligible”.

Further evidence will be called today by Green Organics Energy and submissions on behalf of objectors, such as Coolmore stud farm and South Tipperary for Clean Industry, are expected to start later today or tomorrow.

Expert witnesses will then be cross-examined later this week and next week.