Biogas Concern Group December 2022 Newsletter
Moy Valley Biogas are applying again, to build a large chemical processing facility in Swinford (on the former dump road at Lislackagh/Carrowbaun).
Unsafe Location Beside Homes – Beside Town
Latest update on plans for a biogas facility in Swinford
- In August 254 people lodged objections to planning application Ref: 22/571 by Moy Valley Biogas and over 1,200 people signed a petition against the proposed development. A big Thank You for your support, and especially to people who wrote letters of objection and paid the fee of €20.
- The development was refused planning by Mayo County Council, for many reasons, including
- Unsuitable road network and public safety,
- Risk of a major accident which could lead to serious danger to human health or the environment,
- Protentional adverse impact on protected natural habitat.
But now Moy Valley Biogas have announced that they are applying again at the same location, beside people’s homes, beside our town and beside a protected habitat.
One of the company directors is councillor Michael Smyth. He is supposed to represent the community, we elected him! But he is ignoring the serious concerns the community expressed about the LOCATION and potential impact on their health and wellbeing, road safety, the environment, pollution of air and water including the river Moy.
- NO CONSULTATION
- NO CONSIDERATION
- WRONG LOCATION
What is a biogas facility and how does it work?
- Slurry, manure and silage, as well as food and animal waste, are transported in heavy goods vehicles (HGV’s) to the site for processing.
- Heavy traffic from all parts of the county and beyond, will travel through the town and on local roads to the site.
- The materials are stored and then fermented in large anaerobic digestor tanks to produce methane gas and a sludge type bio-product which can be used as a fertiliser.
- The methane gas can be used as a source of fuel.
But Methane is a hazardous gas, it is explosive and flammable!
It poses a high risk of serious damage to human health and/or the environment if an accident were to occur.
What can you do?
- Join our events in the coming weeks – walks, talks, demonstrations.
- Attend out meetings and become actively involved.
- Lodge an objection to the planning to Mayo County Council.
- Follow us on Facebook and read & share our regular updates and blogs.
- Contact us by email for further information.
TAKE ACTION!
Why are we concerned about the LOCATION beside our town and our homes?
- Explosive materials stored at the site,posing a high risk for people living nearby.
- Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV’s) will transport slurry , fodder and waste in from all routes and transport sludge/fertiliser out.
- Most of the HGV’s will drive through the town and out by the Church to Lislackagh, 6 days a week, roughly every 20 minutes.
- Worse quality of life for residents of Swinford into the future.
- Road safety and traffic congestion around the town and local roads will be badly affected.
- It will not be possible to walk, cycle or even drive safely on local roads due to the increased volume of HGV traffic.
- Foul smells from the material in the HGV’s and the biogas plant will pollute homes, shops, restaurants, businesses, schools, sports facilities, the park, Golf club, playground and the Church.
- Devaluation of homes in the area.
- Risk of water pollutionto nearby Spaddagh River which flows into the river Moy, which is a protected Special Area of Conservation, SAC.
- Emissions of toxic gases, pollutants into the air damaging health.
- Destruction of a peatland habitat which should be conserved.
Unsafe development at the proposed Location.
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