Limerick City and County Council in Ireland has rejected plans for a large biomethane plant in Bruree, County Limerick.
The proposal, submitted by CycleØ Limited IE, aimed to build the facility at Cappanihane, near Morrissey’s Cross.
The proposed plant was designed to process organic waste through anaerobic digestion, producing biomethane.
CycleØ intended the facility to have an annual production capacity of up to 15,000 MWh, which could power around 3,000 homes.
The application sparked significant public interest, drawing over 400 submissions. Of these, 333 were formal objections while the rest expressed support.
The Limerick Biogas Concern Group, established to represent local residents' concerns, welcomed the council’s decision.
A spokesperson for the group said: “Our opposition is not to biomethane technology itself, but to this particular location, which raises serious concerns about community health, safety, and environmental protection.”
The council’s refusal was based on several key factors. A council representative stated: “We had to consider the potential adverse impact on the historic Glenbrook House landscape, risks to local waterways, and the adequacy of infrastructure. Balancing development with community and environmental wellbeing is paramount.”
The council also highlighted concerns about odour from organic waste processing, threats to the Lower River Shannon and River Fergus estuaries, an inadequate surface water management plan, and local roads that could not safely handle increased traffic.
CycleØ had previously assured that the plant would be self-sufficient in terms of electricity and water, incorporating rainwater harvesting and containment measures to prevent runoff contamination.
The company also claimed their Environmental Impact Assessment showed no harmful effects on local wildlife or ecosystems.
Despite these assurances, the council concluded that the potential negative impacts outweighed the benefits, leading to the rejection of the proposal.
County Limerick blocks CycleØ’s biomethane plant
