Further information lodged on plans for Drum biogas plant
THE developers of a proposed renewable biogas plant in Drum have provided further information to support their planning application.
Stream BioEnergy Ireland Ltd is seeking a 10-year permission for the plant on a site extending to 6.2 hectares, located immediately west of the R189 road and south of the L2280 road in the townlands of Maghernakelly and Drumcall.
According to plans submitted, the proposed plant will generate renewable biogas from 99,000 tonnes of poultry manure per annum, along with other biodegradable agricultural and agri-food organic materials, “utilising anaerobic digestion technology”.
The development will consist of a 9,104 sq m process building with odour control system and associated dispersion stack, which will stand approximately 40 metres high.
The application for planning permission was first lodged in December last. The following month, 22 individuals, groups or businesses made written submissions to Monaghan County Council - some voicing their objections to the renewable energy processing plant or offering their support for the facility.
Among those who object to the plant at Drum is Blackesh Biogas Plant Concern Group who lodged a 15-page submission citing potential odour pollution, traffic concerns and effects on the local heritage and archaeology as some its reasons for objecting to the new plant.
The group began its submission by stating they are “absolutely in favour if renewable energy in every viable form” but added that renewable energy plants should be located where they cause the least amount of visual and destructive impact to the natural environment.”
In closing the group said in their submission that the proposed development is “an abomination, incongruous, odious and incompatible with the Drumin landscape” and contravenes the objectives of the Monaghan County Council Development Plan 2025-2031.
“There are a multitude of much more suitable sites along the transport route,” Blackesh Biogas Plant Concern Group wrote.
In another submission, which is available to view on the Monaghan County Council planning portal, a local man objects to the plant because it’s development would “completely destroy a drumlin”.
In another submission, a woman who lives in the locality said she fears high volumes of traffic and “odour nuisance”.
“I chose to live in this area with my young family,” her submission reads. “This plant will have persistent odours, which will effect our quality of life and odour nuisance is well documented with similar facilities. The local rural roads are not fit for purpose to carry the traffic to this plant.”
Full support
Menawhile, Silverhill Ducks has made a submission confirming its “full support” for the proposed biogas plant describing it as a “positive and forward-looking investment for the region”.
“The development will play an important role in managing waste produced by the poultry and wider agri-food sector, while also generating renewable energy and sustainable fertilisers in line with national and EU environmental objectives.”
The Emyvale company also said the proposed €120 million investment will deliver a significant economic boost to County Monaghan and the border region and create “much-needed employment and the generation of additional income streams for farmers and rural businesses”.
An agricultural contractor and suckler/beef farmer in west Monaghan who said he works closely with beef, poultry and dairy farmers also said there are 26 poultry houses within a 5km radius of his farm.
He said by talking to his customers he knows, farmers constantly struggle with the storage of farm manures and waste and compliance in exporting the same.
“Farms are getting bigger but unfortunately we cannot make our fields any bigger,” he wrote in his submission.
A decision on the planning file is now due on or before November 1, 2026.