BioPark Application Withdrawn
By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)
BioPark protesters outside the site entrance
Plans to build a bio-fuel processing plant near Tallow, Co. Waterford appear to be over as West Cork based BioPower Ltd say they intend withdrawing their application. The withdrawal may be final, following revelations that the intended site may be unsuitable for the project.
BioPower Ltd. intended to conduct rapeseed processing, BioDiesel production, and fuel pelleting, on 7.3 acres at Kilbeg Upper on the Tallow-Youghal road. Additionally, it would convert municipal and agricultural sludge (particularly pig slurry) and industrial and abattoir waste to bio fuel, through an anaerobic digestor
Locals objected, fearing that an adjacent stream, which feeds into the Tallow water supply could be contaminated. Oddly, the company’s Environment Impact Survey made no mention of the stream feeding into the town water supply. “They either weren’t informed or ignored it,” says Ava Farrington of protest group, Safe Tallow. There were also road safety issues raised regarding site access.
Overt 50 objections, bearing almost 400 signatures, were submitted to Waterford Co. Council, including those of 15 licensed horse trainers concerned that large-scale rapeseed production would induce respiratory problems.
Walter Ryan-Purcell, Managing Director of Schull-based BioPower Ltd., say they withdrew the application pending acquisition of an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licence, “which is required when over one ton of bio-diesel is processed daily.”
Protest group, ‘Safe Tallow’ had warned the company as such and also that the Application was invalid as site notices did not carry intention to apply for an IPPC but it claimed assurances from Waterford Co. Council that the licence could be obtained retrospectively, once the limit was not breached.
However, it now seems the site may be abandoned following submissions from the County’s Water Services department. The Council’s Planning Department had neither informed the Water Service nor the Roads offices of the Application but Safe Tallow did so. The Water Services subsequently investigated and recommended disallowing “a plant like this within the catchment of a major water source.” The Council’s Roads Division also expressed serious reservations with the Application and sought a revised layout.
A disappointed Walter Ryan-Purcell says the company is considering its options but concedes the Water Service department’s assessment is both surprising and critical. Reflecting on two pre-planning meetings with Waterford Co. Council, he says, “When one sits down at a pre-planning meeting, one expects the relevant people to be informed or present.” He says there were only one and three Co. Council representatives at respective meetings, compared with up to 15 for pre-planning consultation with other local authorities with whom planning applications have been lodged.
Related Stories
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
* All comments are moderated before publishing.No comments yet.
Leave a comment