Appeal lodged against the granting of planning permission for an agricultural biogas plant

An appeal has been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála against the granting of planning permission for an agricultural biogas plant at Stackallen, Slane.

Last month, Meath County Council gave the green light to Martin Naughton to build an agricultural biogas renewable energy facility consisting of two primary digester tanks, two secondary digester tanks with pump room, a pasteurisation unit with auxiliary tanks and emergency flare. The planning application was lodged in August of last year. Meath County Council sought further information and after considering the additional information granted permission for the project on 19th August.

A third party appeal has now been lodged with An Coimisiun Pleanala against Meath County Council's decision to grant planning permission for the development.

The appellant states that they do not have an issue with a change of use of the lands from farming to biomethane production and that their concern relates to the siting of the entrance for the proposed facility and the effect it would have on road safety in the area only.

It argues that the granting of permission for a commercial entrance on French Lane would bring 4,160 heavy good vehicles/agricultural vehicles on the L3411 and L16253 every year. "These roads which are rural in character have 47 houses and a national school with over 200 pupils, all with entrances opening onto these roads, yet the only road improvements detailed in the planning application are for a 160m section of French Lane West."