THE New Year was welcomed in style with the bang of drums and the clash of cymbals as the people of Gort staged a noisy fun walk against the proposed construction of one of the country’s largest Biogas plants in their town.

People of all ages gathered and braved the elements to show their opposition to what the group has labelled an “ill-thought-out development”, with a short walk from the town to the gates of the proposed site.

A spokesperson for the Gort Biogas Concern group said, “The kids loved it, making all that noise, and we want to show our continued support against this development.”

For well over three years the people of south Galway have been engaged in an ongoing battle against the development of a Biogas plant in the town of Gort.

Galway County Council refused planning permission and this decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Another participant on the walk stated, “Gort has made some amazing steps forward in recent years with the regeneration of the Riverwalk and now the recent Red Route cycle way, all driven by volunteer effort. All of this would be thrown away if this development goes ahead, it simply can’t happen.”

The case now rests with An Bord Pleanála and a decision is expected early in the New Year.