Dairygold biomass plant approved by local authority

Dairygold Co-operative Society has received planning permision approval for a biomass plant in Mitchelstown, County Cork in Ireland.

The works will involve a single-storey woodchip boiler building, with a parapet height of 16.236 metres, and a stack height of 24.735 metres above ground level.

Over 30 conditions accompany the planning permission - including limiting the facility to processing a maximum of 24,000 tonnes each year of untreated virgin woodchip.

Biomass must be sourced from suppliers based in the southern region, unless the planning authority approves alternatives in writing. The supply must align with forest by-products as stipulated in the application.

The organisation is required to engage an archaeologist's services for the removal of topsoil and other groundworks - as a means to protect heritage.

Furthermore, solid waste generated on-site must be recycled to the maximum extent possible. Materials sent off-site need to be processed at approved facilities.
No pollutants can be drained from the site into waters nearby.

Dairygold are further required to pay €18,278 to Cork County Council for public infrastructure and facilities to benefit the development region.