A planning dispute over a proposed biogas facility at a County Tipperary quarry has escalated to national level after both the applicant and a local residents' group lodged separate appeals against the local authority's decision to refuse permission.
Roadstone Limited had sought approval to develop a bio-renewables facility at its quarry in Killough, Holycross, near Thurles. The proposed 6.3-hectare site would incorporate an anaerobic digester designed to convert animal feed into biomethane gas for use at the quarry.
Tipperary County Council refused the application on two principal grounds: that insufficient information had been provided to allow a proper assessment of the development's environmental risks, and that proposed arrangements for road access raised safety concerns — specifically that the required sightlines at the facility entrance could not be achieved without encroaching on neighbouring land.
Roadstone has appealed that decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála, arguing the sightline issue could be resolved through minor road markings that would improve visibility without affecting adjacent land.
The company also contends that the Killough site is the only viable location for the plant, given that its purpose is to supply renewable energy directly to the quarry's operations.
Roadstone has indicated it intends to co-locate similar bio-renewables facilities at five of its larger quarries across Ireland as part of a company-wide target to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Killough Community Group has also appealed, backing the council's refusal but arguing the decision failed to address an additional ground for rejection.
The group contends the development would not comply with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, and that the application did not demonstrate alignment with Tipperary's local decarbonisation targets or the county development plan's low-carbon objectives.
The group also argued that the environmental assessment failed to give adequate consideration to the Lisheen Bioeconomy Campus, which it says has been identified at both regional and national level as the appropriate location for bioeconomy development in the area.
Further objections raised by the community group include concerns over road safety, noise, dust, air quality, groundwater and biodiversity, as well as the use of on-site explosives, which residents say has caused structural damage to nearby homes. The group also alleged a failure to engage meaningfully with the local community during the planning process.
An Coimisiún Pleanála is expected to issue a decision by 8 July.
