AN BORD Pleanála this week upheld a 2021 decision by Clare County Council to grant planning permission for a bioenergy plant in Stonehall. The development has seen significant opposition in the area going back to 2012, when Clare County Council first opted to rezone the site. When a planning application was made to the Council there were numerous objections, and when the Council approved it further appeals were made to An Bord Pleanála, whose decision this week will be met with disappointment in the area. The decision allows for the construction of a biomass processing and storage area, a gasification and methanation plant for the production of biofuels and a gasification and combined heat & power plant for production of electricity and heating. There would also be a battery storage facility and a thermal energy recovery and storage facility for district heating distribution, along with a new access road. On Tuesday Councillor PJ Ryan said there is still strong opposition. …
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