2560019
1. An overall planning application site area of c. 6.3 hectares consisting of a proposed bio-renewables production facility, buffer screening, ancillary facilities and site access via the existing permitted quarry entrance. 2. The proposed bio-renewables production facility (incorporating anaerobic digestion) compound will cover an area of c. 4 hectares. The production facility will convert feedstocks to end of line co-products, namely bio-methane (gas), compressed bio-methane (bio-CNG), carbon dioxide (CO2), electricity (green), organic fertilisers (pelleted) and water, with integrated solar energy generation. The adjacent Roadstone Killough Quarry plant will utilise the electricity, bio-methane and water. Pelletised fertiliser will be available for supply to local agriculture and traders off-site. CNG and CO2 will be pressurised and stored for ongoing draw-off by tankers to points of re-use off-site. Demolition of existing quarry store building (c. 158m²) to facilitate the proposed development. 3. The facility will consist of the following elements to be constructed: a) two-storey administration building with (gross floor area 664m² and 8.15m in height) to accommodate reception and storage areas, canteen, laboratory, first aid room, control room/electrical switch room, storage room, toilets, offices, conference room, training room and kitchenette, and roof solar panels 315m²; b) dry matter reception building (gross floor area 5,215m² and 12.7m in height) with roof solar panels 4,000m²; c) workshop building (gross floor area 122.1m² and 8.9m in height) to accommodate workshop and internal gantry crane, store and office at ground level and office at mezzanine level; d) bio-conversion building (gross floor area 3,257m² and 12.5m in height) with roof solar panels 2,400m²; e) pre-treatment, equalisation and gas upgrading building (gross floor area 5,685m² and 12m in height) to accommodate pre-treatment & equalisation area (3,527m²), utilities area (376m²), heat recovery plant area (361m²), water treatment recovery area (316m²), and gas upgrading facility (1,105m²) with roof solar panels 3,850m²; f) digestate handling building (gross floor area 692m² and 8.6m in height) to accommodate palletiser station/packing station area (150m²), solid dryer/vacuum evaporator area (392m²) and nutrient adjustment facility (150m²); g) warehouse storage building (gross floor area 158m² and 11.2m in height); h) bio-filling station building (gross floor area 300m² and 9.75m in h
Core Refusal Reason
The application was deemed to have an inadequate Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS), failing to sufficiently address major accident risks (COMAH), traffic safety/sightlines, and potential impacts on water quality and biodiversity.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The submitted Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) is considered inadequate and fails to comply with Article 94 and Schedule 6 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, particularly regarding the assessment of alternatives, major accident risks, and cumulative impacts with the adjoining quarry.
- The proposal lacks sufficient detail on technical safety risks associated with its status as a COMAH establishment, including the potential impact of major accidents on adjoining lands and the absence of a credible assessment of a 'Major Accident to the Environment' (MATTE).
- Significant concerns remain regarding traffic safety, specifically the failure to demonstrate standard sightlines (120m from a 4.5m setback) at the site entrance, and the potential for adverse impacts on the Lower River Suir SAC due to vague mitigation measures for accidental spills.