There has been much furore over the past few days about a proposal to construct a bio-energy, power generation plant at Kerdiffstown (Sallins) to be accessed via the Monread road.
In brief the plant would ‘compost’ organic waste materials to produce an effluent gas which would then be converted to power / electricity. This is a renewable energy source and has the dual benefit of disposing of waste materials whilst producing essential energy. Such plants are common on the continent and in use in many countries. I am not aware of another in Ireland at present although I am open to correction on that.
Kerdiffstown and surrounding areas (Sallins / Kill / Johnstown / North Naas) have suffered at the hands of waste disposal for some time, with the nefarious Neiphim Trading causing serious problems on the Kerdiffstown road over a period of years cluminating this year when the odours reached an all time high (low?) and in some cases people were literally forced to flee their homes in the surrounding area. Whilst it was always an issue for people on the road, amazingly in the surrounding areas until recently there were those who remained unaware of the problem. I remember people asking me what it was when I mentioned the issues in a newsletter at one stage during the local election campaign. However the past twelve months brought the issue into stark relief as the stench really extended to pollute the atmosphere for miles around. Just this week a high court injunction forced the place into some kind of compliance and the end may be in sight there.
This hangover bodes poorly for another waste disposal facility in the same vicinity. A new applicant, M&M Coldstores, have applied for planning at a nearby site. Their proposal is for a bio-energy plant as mentioned above and the facility would create 50 new jobs once opened. The applicants also claim the facility would consume waste from the surrounding area and return energy to the same locations. Considering we currently purchase energy on the international markets I would be very interested in the technicalities of keeping it local if it could be achieved. (Am a little sceptical until I hear them unfortunately.)
There has been widespread alarm about the proposed facility, a central concern being that it may process thousands of tons of animal carcasses. I gather this is not planned by the operators although the sought permission would enable it were it to be granted. This in itself not necessarily a bad concept, unpleasant as the idea is, the output of killing floors must go somewhere and at least in the best Catholic tradition “from ashes to ashes, from dust to dust” a natural circle converting the waste matter back to energy for the living. Esoterics aside I do not believe this will happen at this site in any event, even if the plant does go ahead.
On a very practical level I would have concerns re the proposals on the following grounds:
- Traffic volumes in Sallins and Monread are already very high and would struggle to absorb more HGVs
- The EPA has not inspired confidence in its dealings with the other Kerdiffstown facility; if these are the regulators then I am afraid in recent times the law has been shown to be an ass.
- Proximity to residential areas is very acute. An even slightly more removed site would be preferable.
There are also many technical arguments on the nature of the scientific processes used although these as always are open to expert debate. I think the more local practical problems are enough of a challenge at this point. I have seen some good letters of objection doing the rounds and I include one here.
UPDATE: I learned overnight that the site location is currently zoned ‘Agricultural’. In planning terms, this means that a change of use proposal would have to go before the council to allow this be zoned ‘Industrial’. This would require a majority of Councillors voting to override the existing planning status in what is called a ‘material contravention’. I cannot really see this happening on something as contentious as this and therefore I would be very surprised at this point were this facility to go ahead.
Bio-mass plants are good ideas.
However, they shouldn’t be built right beside residential areas.
The blame for this furore comes back to KCC for failing to produce a serious waste and energy policy. Until such time as they do this, such developers of these kind of installations will try their luck in building them wherever they can.
It’s madness to allow this to go ahead so close to a residential area.
Sallins village and the Monread Road are already clogged with through traffic and having more trucks feeding this plant from all areas will only increase the danger to locals. The EPA/KCC have not managed the other waste site in the area very well and this would not give confidence where animal waste and sewage sludge etc. is being transported, stored and processed. The implications are far wider than the current situation with the Kerdiffstown facility.
a small correction! The facility will employ 50 people in the construction phase. Approx 10 when in “production”.
Thanks for the comments folks.
@Tony thanks for the correction, had heard a few figures mentioned, from 15 – 50, was not sure on that myself. There would be a temporary construction stage and a longer term operational stage. Imagine the numbers would be lesser for the operations than to build the place.
Interesting re zoning.
Good news. Well done James.
Thanks for that – very interesting and please keep up the information flow…!
I’d welcome something constructive in the area. However, serious caveats will have to be observed before anything could be allowed – for example, access. There is no reason a link from the M7/N7 shouldn’t be built for trucks to this new facility, and no development should be allowed commence until this access has been completed! We are already overdue a Sallins by-pass but I’m realistic enough to know that, until the Naas one is fully completed, the people of Sallins/Monread will just have to wait…
Well done – very interesting and please keep up the information flow…!
I’d welcome something constructive in the area. However, serious caveats will have to be observed before anything could be allowed – for example, access. There is no reason a link from the M7/N7 shouldn’t be built for trucks to this new facility, and no development should be allowed commence until this access has been completed! We are already overdue a Sallins by-pass but I’m realistic enough to know that, until the Naas one is fully completed, the people of Sallins/Monread will just have to wait…
Thanks Simon. Yes the Sallins bypass is still badly needed. A number of junctions in the village have recently aquired traffic lights, justifiable in their own right, but net effect to back up through traffic even further. Whilst ironically some the most acute junctions (primarily Osberstown) have no lights yet need traffic controls most. The bypass would satisfy a number of goals however last I heard funding was again on hold. Thanks for stopping by and I will try to keep the info coming! James
Pity about the funding – though no surprise there! I suppose we’ll have to wait for another couple of years before there’s any change to that!!
Keep ’em coming!
The Millenium Park interchange half way between Newhall and Maudlins would solve alot of problems.
This interchange will be the terminus also for the Sallins by-pass.
I think plans are in place for this interchange as part of the Sallins by-pass.
There won’t be an interchange at the bridge serving the proposed bio-mass plant. I can pretty sure of that.