Site notice erected for proposed Kildare biogas plant 

AFTER months of nervous anticipation, European Company, CycleO is gearing up to lodge a planning application for the construction of a large-scale biomethane plant in the Ballyvass area in Castledermot, Kildare, comprising an area of 12.6 acres.

The update was given by local residents who noticed a site notice detailing the broad construction plans, signaling that a planning submission will not be far behind.

Strongly disputed by the community, the anaerobic digestion facility is proposed to include a multi-unit biogas park on a huge area of land in the small, close-knit community.

The proposed development has been strongly opposed by the Ballyvass Biogas Action Group, who say the location, which is adjacent to the M9 motorway and close to residential areas, is unsuitable for such an industrial-scale facility.

Speaking after the application was lodged, group members said they had been preparing for this moment for months, contacting elected representatives and organising public meetings.

“We’re looking at what we can do to prepare,” group member Sandra O’Brien said. “Showing how to fill in submissions, prepare ourselves by arranging workshops, discussing issues and concerns.” 

The group is arranging another public meeting for Wednesday 20 August where they hope to go through the full planning details and guide residents on how to make submissions to Kildare County Council.

Concerns raised by the group include potential traffic and road safety issues, environmental and health impacts, light pollution from the site, and the positioning of explosive digesters and a flare directly beside the motorway.

The group has launched a GoFundMe and is also accepting donations via Carlow Credit Union to cover the costs involved with this part of the process.

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 group’s next step is to wait patiently for the planning application to officially go through to Kildare County Council in order to take the next steps in their objections to the plant.