22571

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 CARPARKING AREA AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND PERCOLATING AREA, BIOGAS UPGRADING TREATMENT AND COMPRESSION SYSTEM, ELECTRIC TRANSFORMER AND SUB-STATION WITH SECURITY 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 FENDING AND ALL ANCILLARY WORKS LOCATED ON LANDS MEASURING 4.0 HECTARES. THIS APPLICATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY A NIS

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The development was refused primarily due to the substandard nature of the local road network (L13117) and the traffic safety risks at the N5 junction, combined with insufficient evidence to rule out adverse impacts on European protected sites and the local environment.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The local road network (L13117) is structurally substandard and incapable of safely accommodating the increased heavy traffic generated by the facility, posing a risk to public safety.
  • The proximity to a high-collision accident location on the N5 national route poses a significant danger to public safety that cannot be excluded or adequately mitigated.
  • The application lacked essential technical data to ensure the protection of the River Moy SAC, local habitats, and residential amenity from environmental nuisances such as noise and odour.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Mayo County Development Plan 2022-2028National Policy in relation to control of frontage development on National Roads

Decision Document Summary

Mayo Biogas Ltd proposed the construction of an agricultural biogas renewable energy facility at Lislackagh & Carrowbaun, Swinford, featuring digester tanks, a CHP unit, and processing buildings. Mayo County Council refused permission on seven grounds, centered on the inadequacy of the L13117 local road and the safety risks to the N5 national road. The decision also cited a lack of information regarding the protection of the River Moy SAC, the absence of an archaeological assessment, and insuffi...
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