Residents in Tipperary raise concerns over plans for new power plant

Residents in the Clonmel area have raised serious concerns about plans for a major power plant proposal at Ard Gaoithe Technology Park, warning that the proposed development could have long-term implications for public health, road safety and the surrounding environment.

A group of residents living near the site of the potential new development have said that they “strongly oppose this development and want planning permission refused.”

Flamewell Limited applied on June 3 for permission to construct an approximately 120MW peaking power plant at the site.

The proposal would include up to six large engines, a cluster of exhaust stacks approximately 26 metres high and two diesel storage tanks capable of holding a combined two million litres of fuel.

Natural gas will be the primary fuel used on site, with diesel used as a backup fuel.

It is outlined that the plant will be installed for the purpose of supporting the electrical grid network at short notice.

Planning documents also show that the new power plant would be located next to unit 11 of the Ard Gaoithe Business Park.

One resident outlined the communities concerns to Tipperary Live: “One of our biggest concerns is what the emissions could mean for our health and wellbeing over time. The plant could produce pollutants including nitrogen dioxide, PM10, PM2.5 and sulphur oxides. Residents want to know what years of exposure could mean for the people living nearby, particularly children, older people and anyone who already has breathing or other health problems.

“We are also worried about the possible effects on farm animals, pets and local wildlife. The site is close to farmland and the Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation.

“The Council asked for pollution modelling during low-wind, temperature-inversion and cold-weather conditions. However, the applicant has confirmed that detailed modelling of several of these pollutants was not carried out. Residents have not been given clear reassurance about what we could be breathing when the air is cold and still and emissions may not disperse as they normally would.”

An air dispersion assessment which took place by AXIS Environmental Services, who carried out the assessment for Flamewell, predicted compliance with air-quality limits under the assumptions used in their model.

Their further-information response confirmed that detailed modelling of fine particles and sulphur oxides was not carried out. The consultant said that emissions of these pollutants would be low, particularly when running on gas, and considers the nitrogen dioxide results an indication that the other pollutants would also meet air-quality limits. Their approach also relies on diesel use being limited to 500 hours a year.

“Our concern is what breathing in these pollutants over many years could mean for our health and wellbeing, alongside emissions from the industry already around us. We do not feel that the information provided has properly answered residents’ concerns about long-term exposure, particularly as the Council specifically requested modelling of these pollutants,” said one of the residents on behalf of the concerned group.

Another majour concern of residents regards fire safety and contaminated water. The further-information documents specify two diesel tanks with a combined capacity of two million litres. People living nearby have said that they are worried about what a serious fire or spill could mean for their homes, land and water.

The applicant does address this issue by proposing a system to collect and contain contaminated firefighting water, with testing and removal by an authorised waste contractor where necessary. However, the documents say the final storage capacity will be confirmed during detailed design, and the permitted discharge route is still to be confirmed.

“Our concern is that important safety details are still unresolved, including the final capacity for containing contaminated firefighting water and the permitted discharge route. We do not believe planning permission should be granted first and these matters sorted out afterwards. These are details that could directly affect the people living nearby, and we believe they should be settled before any decision is mad,” said the group of residents.

The applicant’s own Appropriate Assessment screening also identifies a waste disposal facility to the north of the proposed plant. Residents are worried about having these activities so close together and about the additional industrial activity being placed in an area that has already taken on so much over the years.

People living in the locality are also worried about noise pollution generated by the new site.

An environmental impact noise assessment undertaken by the company found that the predicted noise levels at all noise-sensitive receptors, including nearby residential dwellings and local amenities, were predicted to be below the applicable daytime, evening and night-time noise criteria typically applied by planning authorities and consistent with EPA guidance.

Traffic concerns were another worry of residents who said that the proposed entrance is on a bad bend on an already busy main road.

“If the development goes ahead, this entrance would have to take construction traffic, staff vehicles and diesel tankers. We want to know whether the danger to people already using this road has been properly considered,” they said.

Eight separate submissions had been made against plans for the new power plant in Clonmel, with residents still able to send in further submissions by October 1.

One submission by environmental group Hedgerows Ireland spoke about concerns they had about the lack of specificity regarding the retention of existing trees and hedgerows while the site will be built.

A response from the developer in relation to submissions made by third parties against the development responded to worries the site will have on the immediate environment saying: “An EIA Screening Report was submitted as part of the planning application and concluded that the proposed development does not require Environmental Impact Assessment and that the preparation of an EIAR is not necessary.”

The council is due to make a decision regarding the proposal by October 15.