Application 2560019 REFUSED!

Thank you everyone, for writing, sending and emailing in letters to Tipperary County Council. 

PUBLIC INFORMATION & SUBMISSION WORKSHOPS REALLY WELL ATTENDED, 

"Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine." 

Proposed Killough Bio-Renewables (Biogas) Plant – Killough Quarry Area

Concerned about the proposed biogas / anaerobic digestion development at Killough? Now is the time to act.

Key issues include:

• Traffic and road safety

• Groundwater and drinking water protection

• Quarry blasting, vibration and safety risks

• Odour and air quality impacts

• Risks to agriculture, including fodder shortages and high nitrate concentrations in local ground and surface waters

• Risks to the River Suir SAC, pNHAs and local biodiversity

Contribution:• €20 for first-time submissions

• Free for follow-up Further Information Submissions/ Second-time submissions 

Important: Deadline for new submissions: Friday, 17 January 2026

Open to everyone — Have your say.

 Contact:killoughbiogasconcerncommittee@gmail.com

Listen in! We are on Tipp FM on "Down Your Way" with Eamon O'Dwyer on Saturday the 3rd of January, at 10 am. https://tippfm.com/listen-back/down-your-way-with-eamon-o-dywer-3-jan/

https://dcenr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=a30af518e87a4c0ab2fbde2aaac3c228 

Refusal Reasons from Tipperary County Council on download link below.

HSA advise Tipperary County Council for Further Information:

Locals clearly justified in their multiple concerns.

https://tipperarycoco.eplanning.ie/idocswebDPSS/ViewFiles.aspx?docid=933567&format=djvu

Read it on line, eplanning.ie Select Tipperary and planning reference 2560019

Local Community Groups, Gaile, Killough and the Killough Biogas Concern Group have all submitted compelling observations to Tipperary County Council. 

Listen again:

tippfm.com

https://tippfm.com/podcasts/tipp-today/tipp-today-podcast-080126/

https://tippfm.com/podcasts/tipp-today-full-show-070126/

www.tippmidwestradio.com

https://www.tippmidwestradio.com/2026/01/02/killough-bio-gas-concern-group-to-host-two-information-sessions-regarding-bio-renewables-facility-at-killough-quarry/

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/tipperary/news/opposition-in-tipperary-grows-over-plans-to-locate-biogas-plant-alongside-active-quarry-where-explosives-are-used/a811146073.html

https://www.tipperarylive.ie/news/home/1981590/final-chance-for-residents-to-submit-concerns-on-tipperary-biogas-plant-development.html

Down your way- January 3rd on Killough and its history                                         

https://tippfm.com/listen-back/down-your-way/

COMMUNITY OBJECTION: PROPOSED ANAEROBIC DIGESTION

Point brought to our attention by the local community. 

(AD) PLANT

Issues: While the applicant presents the project as a renewable energy development, the scientific evidence demonstrates that it poses significant risks to groundwater, public safety, livestock, and residential amenity. The scale and complexity of the proposed facility greatly increase these risks.

2. Groundwater Pollution Risk

* The proposed site is underlain by exposed limestone, a highly vulnerable geological formation in an unique karst landscape: characterised by cracks, fissures, and underground channels.

*Pollutants can travel rapidly through limestone with minimal natural filtration.

*The development includes extensive storage of slurry, digestate, wastewater, and other liquids.

* Any leak, rupture, or structural failure could result in immediate contamination of groundwater.

* Limestone aquifers are classified by the EPA as requiring the highest level of protection.

*EU directives require the prevention of groundwater pollution; this development cannot guarantee compliance.

Conclusion: The risk to groundwater is severe and unacceptable.

3. Road Safety and Heavy Vehicle Traffic

* The facility will require continuous heavy-goods vehicle (HGV) movements for feedstock delivery and product export.

* Local rural roads are narrow and already used by agricultural vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, and residents.

*Scientific studies show that increased HGV traffic on rural roads leads to higher accident rates and more severe collisions.

* Noise and vibration from HGVs will negatively affect residents along the haul route.

Conclusion: The development would significantly increase road danger and reduce safety for all road users.

4. Odour, Noise, and Light Impacts

*AD plants frequently generate strong odours, particularly during feedstock delivery or equipment malfunction.

*Even with odour control systems, similar facilities have documented recurring odour issues.

*Noise from machinery, pumps, fans, and HGVs will disrupt daily life and sleep.

*Night-time lighting will reduce residential amenity.

Conclusion: The development would materially harm the living conditions of nearby residents.

5. Ground Subsidence and Structural Failure Risk

*The proposal includes numerous large tanks, deep ponds, and underground structures.

*Limestone areas are prone to subsidence, sinkholes, and sudden ground movement.

*Heavy structures placed on unstable ground are at risk of cracking, collapse, or failure.

* A subsidencerelated tank failure could release thousands of litres of contaminated liquid into the environment.

Conclusion: The engineering risks associated with ground instability are substantial and inadequately addressed.

6. Risks to Livestock and Local Agriculture

* Livestock are highly sensitive to gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and ammonia, which may be released during leaks or equipment failures.

* Even low concentrations of H₂S can be fatal to cattle and horses.

* Digestate or slurry spills can contaminate grazing land and water sources used by livestock.

* Stress from odour, noise, and disturbance can affect animal health, feeding behaviour, and milk production.

Conclusion: The development poses direct risks to animal welfare and local agricultural livelihoods.

7. Fire, Explosion, and Gas Leak Hazards

*The plant will produce and store methane, a highly explosive gas.

*It will also handle hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide, both of which are dangerous if released.

*International experience shows that AD plants have suffered fires, explosions, and major gas leaks due to equipment failure or human error.

*The inclusion of gas upgrading, compression, storage tanks, and tanker loading increases the number of potential failure points.

Conclusion: The risk of a highimpact accident is significant and cannot be dismissed.

8. Power Outages and Emergency Shutdown Risks

*This area experiences frequent power outages, sometimes lasting several hours.

*AD plants require continuous power to operate pumps, mixers, compressors, ventilation, and safety systems.

*During a power failure, gas can accumulate inside tanks, pressure can rise, and safety systems may stop functioning.

*Scientific reviews show that many AD accidents occur during shutdowns, restarts, or emergency conditions.

* If backup generators fail or are undersized, the plant could lose control of methane and other hazardous gases.

*In a worst-case scenario, this could lead to explosions, fires, or major leaks.

Conclusion: Frequent local power outages make this site fundamentally unsuitable for a facility that depends on uninterrupted power for safe operation.

9. Failure to Meet Irish Planning Requirements

Irish planning law requires developments to protect:

*Public safety

*The environment

*Residential amenity

This proposal fails all three.

The Precautionary Principle, embedded in Irish and EU environmental law, states that where there is a risk of serious harm and scientific uncertainty exists, permission should be refused.

Conclusion: The development does not meet the standards of proper planning and sustainable development.

10. Overall Conclusion

The proposed anaerobic digestion plant is too large, too complex, and too hazardous for this location. It threatens groundwater, road safety, livestock, residential amenity, and public health. It also carries serious risks of structural failure, gas accidents, and power related emergencies.

We respectfully request that the planning authority refuse permission for this development.

References

• Aarts, L., & van Schagen, I. (2006). Driving speed and the risk of road crashes: A review.

Accident Analysis & Prevention, 38(2), 215–224.

• Brancher, M., Griffiths, K. D., Franco, D., & de Melo Lisboa, H. (2017). A review of odour

impact criteria in selected countries around the world. Chemosphere, 168, 1531–1570.

• Butscher, C., & Huggenberger, P. (2009). Enhanced vulnerability assessment in karst areas by

combining mapping with modeling approaches. Hydrogeology Journal, 17(3), 689–701.

• Chalkias, C., & Lasaridi, K. (2011). Odour nuisance and health risk assessment of a municipal

solid waste composting facility. Waste Management, 31(12), 2473–2481.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2013). Guidance on the Authorisation of Discharges to

Groundwater. EPA, Wexford.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2014). Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping

Guidelines. EPA, Wexford.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2017). Guidance on the Storage and Handling of

Organic Fertilisers. EPA, Wexford.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2022). EPA Guidance on Anaerobic Digestion and

Biogas Plants: Environmental Considerations. EPA, Wexford.

• European Parliament & Council. (1991). Directive 91/676/EEC (Nitrates Directive).
• European Parliament & Council. (2000). Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive).
• European Parliament & Council. (2006). Directive 2006/118/EC (Groundwater Directive).
• Gómez, M., & Rodríguez, A. (2019). Traffic accident risk associated with heavygoods vehicles on rural roads. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 123, 1–10.