Tag Archives: Stonehall

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. …

CLARE County Council has given approval for a multi million euro biomass combined heat/power plant in Stonehall, despite numerous objections including one from the local national school. Carbon Sole Group Ltd received planning permission for the development, which will also include a gasification and methanation plant for the production of advanced biofuels and a thermal energy recovery and storage facility for district heating distribution. The company claims it is an environmentally friendly development, which will benefit the local area. While the County Council have now approved it, it is open to those in opposition to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála, and given the volume of objections, it seems very likely this will happen. The site in question was owned by the Shannon Airport Authority at the time planning permission was sought, but in a letter to the Council, it said it had agreed to sell it to Carbon Sole. In a video on the Carbon Sole website, CEO …

FEARS over air pollution dominate objections lodged by local residents against the proposed development of a bioenergy plant in Stonehall. Carbon Sole Group Limited is seeking planning permission for the development. In their objection, Anthony and Catherine Malone claimed, “Biomass plants are a significant source of air pollutants harming vulnerable communities where they are located.  “They emit toxic air pollutants including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, lead, mercury and other harmful air pollutants including hydrochloric acid, dioxins, benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, lead and mercury.” Biomass power plant pollution can, they claim, exceed that of coal-fired power plants even when the best available technology is used. They further allege that fine particulate matter can get deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream causing heart disease, stroke and aggravated asthma.  “The air pollution from biomass can be continuous, heavily impacting the local community by degrading the air continuously around the clock.” The couple point out that immediately …

AN application has been made for the development of a bioenergy plant at a 3.5 hectare site in Stonehall. At the moment the site in question is owned by the Shannon Airport Authority, who have consented to Carbon Sole Group Limited making the application. Back in 2012, Clare County Council voted to rezone land to allow Carbon Sole to develop a green energy faciity in the Stonehall area, despite strong local opposition. While no objections to the new proposal have been lodged to date, it would certainly not be a surprise if that changes before the November 3 deadline for submissions. Among the items that would be included in the development would be a biomass processing and storage area utilising forestry products, a Gasification and Methanation Plant for the production of advanced biofuels, a Gasificaiton and Combined Heat Power Plant, a thermal energy recovery and storage facility and a new 38kV substation. In essence the new development would see bioenergy …

Friends, neighbours and staff at Stonehall National School have rallied around a charitable cause for a 13-year-old pupil, who has a very rare medical condition. A number of fundraising events have been organised for Tara’s Trust, including a recent wax, shave or dye event in The Honk Bar and a gala barn dance at the Inn at Dromoland on Saturday, June 11. Tara O’Brien, her parents, Vincent and Geraldine; brother, Evan (17) and sister, Ellen (14) live in Rineanna North, Newmarket-on-Fergus. The sixth-class pupil in Stonehall National School suffers from a condition known as hemangioendothelioma, a very rare vascular tumour. Her numerous surgeries have included three spinal fusions, a splenectomy and, more recently, decompression of her spinal chord, as well as undergoing chemotherapy and trials on various drugs. While Tara is on daily painkillers, she has battled the disease with great courage and spirit and loves going to school and being with her friends. All the proceeds from the fundraisers will be donated to a …