Kentstown gas power plant protest march

EOIN RYAN

A PROTEST march will take place in Kentstown next week to voice concerns about the proposed gas power plant to be built near the village.

The Kentstown Power Plant Group is organising a protest march on 26th April at 3pm, starting at Kentstown Village Park and traveling through the village to Kentstown National School. The march is being held to voice concerns regarding the proposed plans for a gas power plant in Kentstown.

Polarisgate Ltd is currently 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 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.

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.