International developer CycleØ has been refused planning permission for its third proposed anaerobic digestion plant in Galway.

It adds to refusals for similar plants in Limerick and Kildare.

The plant was proposed to be built at Glenloughaun, Ballinasloe, Galway, and would have processed around 90,000t of feedstock each year, consisting of grass silage, slurries, manure, crops and dairy residues, mainly sourced from local farms.

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The proposal received around 100 submissions, many of which were objections.

Refusal

Galway County Council refused permission on four grounds.

It argued that the proposed development would involve regular use of large articulated vehicles on a narrow, substandard rural road with poor alignment, surface quality, and limited width. It believed that the road could not safely accommodate two articulated vehicles, lacks proper design details, and has restricted sightlines at junctions.

These conditions would create traffic hazards, increase vehicle speeds, and pose a risk to public safety, making the development contrary to proper planning and sustainable development.

It also refused permission on the grounds that the development would intensify access onto the R355, a restricted regional road and would create dangerous right-hand turning movements and additional traffic conflicts.

It said the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) does not provide sufficient or adequate assessment of environmental, traffic, and transportation impacts, nor their interactions.

It also outlined that, due to insufficient information on incident response, slurry spill risks, and servicing and maintenance measures, the Planning Authority cannot rule out significant impacts on protected European sites.

Disappointed

In a statement from CycleØ, it said “We are disappointed by the decision of the Galway County Council planning department to refuse our application to build a biogas plant at Kellysgrove, Ballinasloe”.

“The detailed report on the decision by the Council will be reviewed, and we will then consider our next steps with this project”.

“We remain confident of the positive benefits offered by this proposed plant, and its contribution to Ireland’s target of producing 5.7 TWh of indigenous biomethane by 2030”.

CycleØ is anticipated to submit a planning application for a fourth plant in Cootehill, Cavan in the coming year.