Council seeking more information on plans for gas fired power plant in Kentstown

Meath County Council has sought further information on controversial plans for a 180 megawatt gas fired peaking power plant near Kentstown.

Polarisgate Ltd is seeking a 10-year planning permission for the development consisting of three open cycle gas turbine generators each with a 30m high stack on a 19-acre site at Curraghtown, Brownstown. The plant, if approved would have a 40-year operation period and would provide back-up electricity to the national grid.

The proposal drew widespread opposition in the Kentstown and worried locals turned out in force to a public meeting last November to discuss the proposal where a wide range of concerns were raised from the risk to human health and the possible impact of the plant day-to-day lives of so many people living in proximity to the site.

Some 200 submissions were received by Meath County Council on the planning application. The site is located beside the Knockharley Landfill and among those to make a submission was Beauparc Utilities Limited, the owner of the landfill who objected to the proposal pointing out that the proposed development would require connection to the existing 220kv power line that runs north-south on their site and that the re-routing of the existing line to facilitate the new east-est cable would negatively impact on its existing operations and has the potential to sterilise a substantial portion of its site, adding that it had not given permission for this re-routing. It also states that essential component of the proposed development would be the connection to the 220kv line on their site and this connection was not included in the application and therefore the application is incomplete. The submission also argued that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report was required.

Meath County Council has now sought further information on several points. Among them, the planning authority said it was not satisfied that the need for the development at the specific location had been demonstrated and asked the applicant to provide a detailed justification for the site and an assessment of all other sites considered.

The further information also asked the applicant to provide justification for seeking a 40 year operational period; to provide mapping on likely route selection for the grid connection and gas pipework; for the potential impact on the grey partridge be assessed and mitigation measures explored; and for a badger survey to be carried out.

The authority found that the use and impact of diesel as a secondary fuel supply was not fully considered and assessed in relation to the air quality and noise and asked for revised air quality and noise impact assessments taking into account the use of diesel as a fuel source. It also asked the applicant to provide confirmation if there has been any consideration given to the potential use of renewable gases.

Noting that the stacks would be visible from the protected view points of the Hill of Slane, Hill of Tara and Knowth, the applicant has been asked to consider all alternative designs of layouts of the proposed gas powered turbine peaking plant in order to reduce its scale and massing and minimise its visual impact on these views.

Reacting to the further information request, a spokesperson for the local committee formed to fight the proposal said: “Concern in the community is widespread and evident given the volume of submissions received in relation to the planning application. Meath County Council has committed to protecting the cultural and natural heritage of the County, both of which are under attack through this the planning application with the proposed structure visible from UNESCO heritage site Bru na Boinne, the Hill of Tara and the Hill of Slane.”

The group also cited the “critically under threat” Grey Partridge that has been released in recent years on the lands under application as part of a reintroduction of the bird into the area.

The committee believes the planned facility runs contrary to the council’s own Climate Change Strategy by the National Planning and Development Act as well as European and international commitments to move to net zero by 2050.

“Concern has increased with the granting of planning permission for the power station at Carranstown Duleek and with news of An Bord Pleanáa over turning the council's decision to grant Dawn Meats permit pump waste water into the River Boyne. Faith in the council’s planning department has waned.”