Meeting to take place after plans for Kildare biogas plant are lodged
View over a field to a biogas plant
A PLANNING application for the Ballyvass biomethane plant has been submitted to Kildare County Council prompting community action from a local action group who have been campaigning against the development since its inception.
On Tuesday 12 August, the planning application was received by the council, which proposes to build a huge anaerobic digestion facility across a total area of 5.12 hectares or 12.6 acres.
The planning application, prepared on behalf of CycleØ IE Ltd, states that the plant is proposed to produce renewable biomethane for direct injection into the gas grid and high-quality biofertiliser to local farms. It also stated that the Ballyvass site was chosen for proximity to feedstock sources and gas grid connection.
The developer says the proposed project is supported by local and national climate policies including the Kildare County Development Plan, Climate Action Plan 2025 and the National Biomethane Strategy 2024, and meets the need for biomethane to hit legally binding climate targets.
However, local group Ballyvass Biogas Concern Group stand firmly against the development the biogas facility due to safety concerns for local residents, its location, which is in close proximity to the small town of Castledermot, potential bad odours from the site and significant traffic concerns from HGVs coming to and from the site each day.
In CycleØ’s planning application, some of these concerns are considered in the plan – primarily visual impact concerns, traffic concerns, as well as other points such as odour, noise, and air quality.
The planning report noted a formal pre-application meeting with the planning authority which took place in November 2023, which involved discussion on these concerns.
CycleØ comment on these concerns in the planning report, explaining that in relation to concerns on the visual impact of the site, the layout of the development was 'further developed'.
'The landscape and site layout design provide for significant landscape buffers to site boundaries, allowing for berms, native tree planting, and visual screening of the development.'
Similarly, in relation to traffic and access concerns, the company has undertaken a ‘Traffic and Transport Assessment Report’ and ‘Transportation Drawings’ prepared by the ORS.
The developer's planning report stated: 'No significant impacts on the local road network are predicted, and access improvements are incorporated to ensure the safe passage of vehicles accessing and leaving the Proposed Development.'
As for odour, noise and air quality concerns, the company completed assessments on each as part of the EIAR that has been submitted with the application, which it claims indicates that “no significant impacts are predicted.”
Sandra O’Brien of the Ballyvass Biogas Concern Group called it “laughable” that the company has claimed it engaged with the community – and the group generally feel that assessments included in the planning documents, such as the traffic management assessment, appear to be “vague”.
The group have put out a statement explaining their reaction to the recently submitted plans.
'Our concerns are numerous,' the statement said. 'From traffic and road safety to the plant’s proximity to homes, woodland, Kilkea Castle, and the potential threats to biodiversity and the environment.'
'Over the coming weeks, we will meet with residents, discuss the plans, and provide guidance.
'One striking issue is CycleØ’s false claim that they held multiple community engagement sessions. This is simply untrue, and the evidence to disprove it will be clear.'
'We believe our campaign is strong, with the backing of the entire community, local businesses, and all Kildare South elected representatives. CycleØ, along with the landowner leasing the site, faces determined opposition to placing an industrial-scale biomethane plant on a rural greenfield site – a location that is quite frankly ridiculous.'
In response to the plan, Ballyvass Biogas Concern Group are coming together in the form of a public meeting this week, Wednesday 20 August at 8pm in Castledermot Community Centre to discuss the plans and organise their submissions against it. All are welcome to attend.
Printed copies of the planning document will be available for community members to read on the night, and the group will address the concerns of the attendees.
As detailed in previous public meetings, the group will gather with residents through workshops during the lead up to the submission deadline on 15 September to help community members prepare.
As before, donations to the group’s GoFundMe page are greatly appreciated in the run up to the deadline.
The group is also accepting donations via Carlow Credit Union to cover the costs involved with this part of the process, including the help from experts in the field such as engineers and architects.
Donations can be made on their GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/oppose-large-biomethane-plant-at-ballyvass-castledermot Alternatively, donations can be made in person at Carlow Credit Union IBAN IE77CDEU99110111028543.
The decision due date is on Monday 6 October and until then the Concern Group will be working hard in opposition to this project.
