Oral hearing into Tipperary waste plant begins today

An Bord Pleanála's oral hearing into a proposed waste treatment plant in Co Tipperary is due to get underway today.

Green Organics Energy Ltd is seeking permission to build a plant that it says would treat waste in an environmentally sustainable manner.

This waste would include animal by-product from the meat processing industry.

GOE says it would be broken down into biogas, which could then be used to generate enough electricity to power the nearby towns of Clonmel, Cashel and Cahir.

The site of the proposed plant is near the village of Rosegreen, four miles from Cashel and six miles from Clonmel.

One of the main opposition groups is the bloodstock industry, with the world famous Coolmore Stud located nearby.

Local TDs claim the plant also poses a threat to the local water supply.