Development Description
the provision of a renewable biogas and biofertiliser production facility with an intake of up to 165,000 tonnes of feedstock per annum that will feed into the existing Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) network. The facility will comprise of: *Input weigh bridges and weighbridge offices; *Reception (incorporating offices, control room/laboratory, canteen, changing and toilet facilities) *Feedstock building and solid digestate store; *Boiler/plant maintenance including ESB and CHP store; *4 No digestor units and 1 No post digester unit, pre-acidification unit, biological desulphurisation and technical building all located within a containment bund; *Covered storage tanks; * Silage clamps; *Connection to existing Gas Network Ireland infrastructure The proposed development includes for associated biogas tank; gas upgrade units (5 no.); and an emergency gas flare. The development also includes air cleaner (feedstock area); 5 no. air cleaner stacks and 2 no. boiler and CHP plant flues; odour abatement, firefighting water tank; attenuation pond, a new gated access from R445; internal access roads, car parking, loading bays and laybys, landscaping and boundary fencing. A personnel gate is proposed to the north of the site. The proposed development comprises all associated site development, drainage and infrastructure works above and below ground. The maximum height of the proposed development is the digester units at c.141m above ground level. The proposed facility will primarily utilise spent grains from breweries along with smaller quantities of other brewery by products such as yeast and discarded beer. Maize will also be accepted in smaller quantities as a feedstock to produce biogas which will be upgraded to bio methane and fed into the natural gas grid. Carbon Dioxide will be recovered as a by-product as part of the process. Solid and liquid digestate that will be produced from the process will be a biofertiliser. No waste materials will be accepted as feedstock at the facility. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development on a site of approx. 7.9Ha. Revised by Significant Further Information which consists of revisions to the site access and works to the road and footpath alongside the site including the provision of public lighting, signage, anti-skid surfacing and a crash barrier. Tactile paving and dropped kerbs are proposed where required and there are c