Local residents around Killough Quarry do not object to anaerobic digestion (AD) technology itself, but believe that Roadstone’s proposed plant there is in the wrong location.

According to Alice Coleman, a member of the Killough Biogas Concern Group, there are significant concerns among locals about the proposal for a new AD plant at Roadstone’s busy Killough Quarry in Tipperary.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Coleman explained that her home is located within 500m of the site, and that there are multiple other properties close by.

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The second public consultation on Roadstone’s proposed AD plant took place last week, with the company responding to questions and listening to concerns from residents.

Location

Roadstone plans to develop one of Europe’s most advanced AD plants, producing biomethane gas, liquid CO2, electricity, biofertiliser and water.

The aim of the project is to decarbonise quarrying, asphalt, lime and concrete production at its Killough site using biomethane.

However, Coleman cited a lack of planning regulations for AD facilities and argued that a better location for the plant would be Lisheen, Thurles, Tipperary.

This site is 20km north of Killough Quarry, where there are currently three plants in operation or in development at the location, as it is not close to homes.

The plant will require approximately 105,000t of agricultural feedstock annually and will use a new Norwegian-developed AD system, the first of its kind in Ireland.

The plant would incorporate advanced technologies for ammonia stripping, feedstock pre-processing, digestate treatment, water recycling, CO2 and biomethane liquefaction, as well as full heat recovery integrated into the operation.

Coleman said many locals feel they have not been adequately informed about the project and called on Roadstone to hold a formal public information meeting rather than a drop-in style consultation.

Coleman also highlighted concerns around explosion risk, quarry blasting, risk to water, odour, increased traffic and the lack of clear community benefit from the project.

She also tolds the Irish Farmers Journal that members of the concern group are prepared to “go all the way” in their objections. A decision is due on 7 February.