2560920
for the construction of an anaerobic digestion facility to produce renewable biomethane, CO2 (which will be captured), and a bio-based fertiliser from organic material. The total gross floor area of the proposed development (including internal plant areas and ancillary structures) will be c. 6,007 sq.m. The development will consist of the following: Construction of 2 no. primary digesters (with an overall height of c. 9.1m), a digestate storage tank (with a height of c. 11.3m), a pump house (with a gross floor area (GFA) of c. 362 sq.m), 2 no. post digester tanks (with an overall height of c. 9.1m), and a safety flare (c. 11.3m in height), located in the southeastern section of the site. Construction of 2 no. prepits (c. 4.3m in height), a pasteurisation buffer tank (c. 4.3m in height), and a pasteurisation unit (with a maximum height of c. 4.2m), located to the west of the primary digesters, within the southern section of the site. Construction of digestate treatment and feedstock reception building and odour abatement system (with a GFA of c. 2,797 sq.m and a height of c. 12.1m and c. 16.2m to top of odour abatement stack) located within the southwestern section of the site. Construction of roofed silage clamps (with a GFA of 2,424 sq.m and a height of c. 8.7m) and a fuel storage tank (c. 2m in height), located within the western section of the site. Construction of a combined heat and power (CHP) unit (with a GFA of c. 39 sq.m and a height of c. 2.6m and c. 5.6m to top of flue), a biogas boiler (c. 2.6m in height and c. 5.6m in height to top of flue), a backup boiler (c. 2.6m in height), located within the northern section of the site. Construction of a gas treatment unit (c. 4.2m in height), a grid injection unit (with a GFA of c. 22 sq.m and a height of c. 2.8m), and a CO2 liquefactor (with an overall height of c. 10.7m to top of storage vessels) a propane tank compound accommodating 2 no. propane tanks (c. 1.6m in height), and an ESB substation (with a GFA of c. 24 sq.m and a height of c. 3.4m), located within the northern section of the site. Construction of a two storey ancillary administration building (with a GFA of c. 327 sq.m and a height of c. 11m) within the northern section of the site, adjacent to the site entrance. Alterations to the adjacent local road and site access road, including junction improvement and widening and site entrance and access arrangements. Associated and ancillary works including parking (9 no. standard, 2 no. EV and
Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to the substandard local road network, non-compliance with motorway setback requirements, and insufficient environmental assessments regarding the protection of the River Barrow and River Nore SAC.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The L8050 local road is substandard in width and alignment, and the scale of traffic generated would create a significant traffic hazard and endanger public safety.
- The proposal infringes the 91m building line setback from the M9 motorway, which would set an undesirable precedent and run counter to strategic transport protection objectives.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate beyond reasonable scientific doubt that the development would not adversely impact the integrity of the River Barrow and River Nore SAC and other hydrologically linked sites.