Council blocks plans for biodiesel facility in Tipperary

South Tipperary County Council has rejected plans for a controversial biogas and biodiesel production facility near the world-renowned Ballydoyle and Coolmore equine establishments.

Green Organics Energy Ltd had proposed a plant which would have processed more than 250,000 tonnes of animal by-product each year at Castleblake near Rosegreen.

The council has given four reasons for refusing planning permission, including the size and scale of the development and the type and quantity of raw materials.

Nearly 800 submissions are logged on the council's website from concerned locals following a well-organised campaign by a lobby group called South Tipperary for Clean Industry.

The group is now calling on GOE to drop its plans for the facility, but the matter is likely to end up with An Bord Pleanála.