New planning application for east Mayo biogas facility

A NEW planning application for a multi-million euro biogas facility in Swinford has been submitted to Mayo County Council.

It is proposed to develop the agricultural biogas renewable energy plant at Lislackagh and Carrowbaun, just off the N5.

The company behind the project is Swinford-based Moy Valley Biogas Ltd.

A previous planning application was rejected by council planners last year, with a second deemed invalid earlier this year.

There is local objection to the facility being built on the site proposed, with concern about the impact on local residents and the environment.

Over 250 formal objections were lodged with the council to the initial application.

The planning application seeks permission for the construction of two primary digester tanks, two post digester tanks with pumproom, pasteurisation unit with auxiliary tanks, emergency flare with base and security fencing, two agricultural solid feeders with associated concrete bases, two underground pre-reception tanks, two covered agricultural digestate storage tanks, a gas combined heat and power (CHP) unit, site office/control building with associated staff car parking area and wastewater treatment system and percolation area.

It also includes a 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, four Ammonium Sulphate Solution (ASS) storage tanks with concrete bases, digestate drying and pelletising building, pellet storage building, weighbridge, a 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 are located on lands measuring 4.0 hectares. The planning application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).