23338
Construction and continuous operation of an Agricultural Biogas Renewable Energy Facility consisting of; 2 no. primary digester tanks, 2 no. post digester tanks with pumproom, pasteurisation unit with auxiliary tanks, emergency flare with base and security fencing, 2 no. agricultural solid feeders with associated concrete bases, 2 no. underground pre-reception tanks, 2 no. covered agricultural digestate storage tanks, gas combined heat & power (CHP) unit with concrete base, site office/control building with associated staff car parking area and wastewater treatment system and percolation area, biogas upgrading treatment and compression system, electric transformer and sub-station with securty fence, agricultural feedstock storage clamp building, nutrient recovery system building with ancillary tanks and equipment, 4 no. Ammonium Sulphate Solution (ASS) storage tanks with concrete bases, digestate drying and pelletising building, pellet storage building, weighbridge, construct new access and entrance improvement works, site lighting with security cameras, surface water drainage system with storage pond and discharge system, boundary earth bunded areas, landscaping and boundary security fencing. All ancillary works located on lands measuring 4.0 hectares. The planning application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS)
Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to significant road safety and capacity issues on the local and national road network, alongside a failure to demonstrate that the facility would not adversely impact protected European sites or the local environment.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The local road network (L13117) is substandard in structural strength and width, rendering it unsuitable for the volume and type of traffic generated by the proposed facility.
- The proposal's proximity to a high-collision accident location on the N5 National Primary Route is contrary to national policy and poses a significant risk to public safety.
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence to rule out adverse impacts on the integrity of European sites (Natura 2000) or negative effects on the local environment and public health.