Appeal likely on bio-energy plant at Naas
THE decision to reject the planning application for a bio-energy facility outside Naas is likely to be contested.
Pat Meade, a director of M&M Coldstores, told the Leader that the application may be changed and returned to be reconsidered by Kildare County Council or else appealed to An Bord Pleanla.
"We're disappointed because we felt the project was misunderstood. It was associated with smelly landfills when in fact it is a system that is used for odour reduction," Mr. Meade said. He added the council had looked at the application "constructively" but it was not fully understood.
He stated discussions will take place with the project planners this week to explore the idea of an appeal or amending the application.
Politicians and residents opposed the plan for a bio-energy facility, which would use an anaerobic digester to create gas which would then be burned off to produce electricity.
It is understood the application attracted 518 objections. Joe Friel of environmental group Clean Air Naas said the objectors are "absolutely delighted". He said: "It (the decision) was the only logical outcome" despite concerns about the ability of the local authority to deal with obvious and pragmatic objections.
He said the decision had been made on the back of a huge public outcry.
"It will be appealed but we will be ready for it and we have engaged professional expertise," he predicted.
Submissions were made by individuals, communities and associations, Sallins Tidy Towns Group and Naas AFC (soccer club).
Cllr. Darren Scully, who objected, said the facility would process over 40,000 tons of food waste and would have caused bad odours from the trucks hauling in the waste as well as the process itself.
"The various residents' associations that joined together to stop this facility are to be congratulated as well as everyone who lodged an objection," Cllr. Scully said.
The council cited six reasons for objection, notably that the development is located in a rural area and would contravene the Kildare County Development Plan – because it would introduce an industrial type development into a rural area.
Concerns were also expressed about the capacity of an accommodation bridge to accommodate a large number of heavy goods vehicles; and inadequate consideration by the developer of alternative sites for the enterprise.
The council also objected to the proposed height of some buildings and that no odour management plan was submitted as part of the application.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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