Inchera Little Island Co.Cork

Permission for the proposed development will consist of the completion of the Renewable Biogas Plant as permitted by extant planning permission ref. 15/4926, extended by ref 20/5549 and amended by ref 23/5586. All demolition, site clearance, earthworks and formation for foundations will be complete under the current permission. The proposed plant will generate renewable biogas from 90,000 tonnes of non-hazardous biodegradable waste (‘Brown bin’ domestic and commercial waste) per annum utilising anaerobic digestion (AD) technology. It is proposed to upgrade the biogas to biomethane and inject it into the adjacent gas grid to replace fossil fuel derived natural gas. Other products from the process include digestate (a nutrient rich biofertilizer) as well as biogenic (natural) carbon dioxide. The proposed development will consist of the construction of: 1) main process building (c.3,762 m² gross floor area (GFA), max 14.5m high) incorporating feedstock reception and processing area, digestate treatment areas, dewatering and storage areas, quarantine areas, an odour control system and associated 25m high stack with signage on the south elevation. 2)Tank farm (c. 3,183m3 footprint, 4m high bund wall) encompassing a total of 6 tanks including four digestor tanks (20.15m max. height, c.3,400m3 capacity) a digestate storage tank (20.15m max. height, c.3,400m3 capacity), a suspension buffer tank (10.5m max.height, c.700m3 capacity (, an containerised desulphurisation plant and associated 2 tanks (14m max height, c120m3 capacity), 2 no. enclosed pump rooms (room no.1 -53.58 m² GFA and room no.2 – 23.69 m² GFA), and enclosed feedstock pump room (53.58 m² GFA and 3.6m high), 3 sediment settlement tanks (c.5.84(L), c.2.23m (W) & c.3.78(H) on a raised platform at 6m above ground level, stairwells, pumps, gantry walkways, 2 bund access stairs and tank emergency access ladders; 3) A biogas upgrade plant and gas entry unit; 1 no. containerised Combined Heat and Power (CHP) 1.5MW unit with an associated 28m high stack, a carbon dioxide liquefaction plant, a biogas holder (10.56 max. height, c.2,000m3) with 4 no. c.13.12m high lightning rods, a 9.26m gas flare, a containerised boiler with 10m stack, a transformer station, a propane storage tank, an emergency generator, 2 no. weighbridges, weighbridge office (c.17.2 m² GFA and 4.55m high), a fire water tank (c.1,000m3 and 14.12m high), a bunded vehicle refuelling area with a fuel storage tank (2.5m3) and a wheel wash, 4) Administration building (c.393.25 m² GFA) and a workshop (c.70 m² GFA), 5) 31 car parking spaces (including 2 electric vehicle charging points and a universal parking space), 2 motorcycle parking spaces and a covered bicycle rack; 6) Boundary treatment including 2.4m high perimeter fencing (mix of mesh wire fencing and acoustic fencing), access gates on the south western and north eastern boundaries; and 7) all ancillary site development works and services including landscaping, lighting, 2 no. directional signs, service yard area and internal circulation routes, pipe bridge, footpath and all site drainage works. The application relates to development which comprises or is for the purpose of an activity requiring an Industrial Emissions Directive Licence issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, reg. no. P1018-01. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared and will be submitted to the planning authority with the application.

Location

Co. Cork Map

Council

Cork County Council

Planning reference

25/5034