Extra time sought on Cloonthue biogas plant after planners recommend refusal

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN EXTRA time has been requested for the plans for a controversial biogas plant in Cloonthue on Tuamâ€â„¢s outskirts after council planners recommended a refusal for the development. A decision on the planning application was due within the past few days and The Tuam Herald has learned that planners were about to refuse permission for the development. However, applicant Liam Furey made a last-minute request for an extension of time, which is expected to be used to try and address the concerns of planners regarding the proposal. Liam Furey is seeking permission to construct a 499 kw waste anaerobic digestion biogas plant. The works will include a waste storage building, office space, control room, weigh bridge, site office, digester and storage tanks, biofilter, combined heat and power unit, access roads, parking and associated site works. A decision on the plant is now expected at the end of July.[private] More than 60 objections have been lodged against the plan to build a biogas plant in Cloonthue. Sporting, community, residents and business groups have mounted a strong opposition campaign to the project. Residents object[private] Residents from not only the surrounding areas of Athenry Road, Dublin Road and Cloonthue have lodged objections to the plans; people living in various parts of the town and surrounding areas have also made vehement submissions to the planning authority. Last year, plans by businessman Bernie Hynes for an anaerobic digester and biogas plant on part of the old Sugar Factory site sparked a massive campaign of opposition. The application was withdrawn a few weeks ago just before An Bord Pleanála was expected to issue its decision. From the range of objections lodged, it appears there is even a more concerted effort being made by representatives in Tuam to stop a biogas plant being built in Cloonthue. Numerous public meetings have taken place in recent weeks, where objectors voiced concerns, about possible smells from the plant and the type of material that would be used to feed the digester as well as public health and safety issues. Many of Tuamâ€â„¢s popular sporting organisations are against the plans: Tuam Stars says it will impact on its facilities while Tuam Golf Club has similar views and believes it will impact on the flora and fauna of the course, which is very close to the earmarked site. Other clubs objecting include Tuam Pony Club, Tuam Rugby Club, Tuam Hurling Club, Tuam Athletic Club and Tuam Celtic. Objections have been made by nearby schools St Patrickâ€â„¢s Primary School and the secondary school Archbishop McHale College, which fear that the plant will impact on student and staff health and result in air pollution. Anaerobic digestion produces a high-energy gas, known as biogas, which can be used for green-energy production. However, the potential for the use of slurry and other similar materials as feedstuffs for the facility has caused controversy locally. Objectors are adamant that such a plant will leave a stench throughout the town and that it isnâ€â„¢t suitable for a site so close to an urban centre. It has been speculated that the plant could lead to an extra 2,000 trucks travelling through Tuam and to chicken manure, slurry, sludge and other waste materials being brought in from other parts of the country. Negative image There are also fears regarding the negative image such a facility will give the town. Tuam Chamber of Commerce, representing many of the townâ€â„¢s businesses, says the negative impact will have a knock-on effect on the townâ€â„¢s trade and would make it difficult to attract â€Ëœclean-roomâ€â„¢ industries as future employers in the town. Similar concerns are echoed by the owner of engineering and manufacturing firm CPS on the Dunmore Road, who previously objected to the Airglooney plan and says a biogas plant will impact on existing and future industries in Tuam. Concrete products manufacturer, Moylough Concrete, located on the Athenry Road, has also objected to the application. Tuam Tidy Towns Committee says it would be impossible to present Tuam as a clean town in the future if an anaerobic digester were built in Cloonthue. It says positive discussions have taken place about the development of an environment park nearby and a biogas plant would impact on this. While many residents have lodged individual objections, many of the townâ€â„¢s residentsâ€â„¢ associations have also joined forces and voiced their opposition on behalf of their members; these include Liam Mellows St and Endaâ€â„¢s Avenue, Athenry Road, Gilmartin Road, the Palace Fields, Trinity Court and Lissadyra residentsâ€â„¢ associations.[/private]