HomeMy WebLinkAbout2660018 - Submission - Eoghan CorrTo Monaghan County Council Planning Section
| write to you expressing my strong interest in the planning application from Stream
bioenergy on their proposed Biogas AD plant in Co Monaghan (Planning Reference
26/60018, previously 25/60496).
As an agricultural contractor and a suckler/beef farmer | work closely with poultry, beef
and dairy farmers in the Clones, Newbliss and surrounding areas and within a 5km radius
of my farm yard there are 26 poultry houses and 10 eighty and above dairy farms which
would produce high volumes of agricultural waste on a yearly basis. As an agricultural
contractor and by talking to my customers and other farmers in the area the common
consensus from them all is the constant struggle in storage of farm manures/waste,
compliance in exporting said manures/wastes of farm and cost in doing so.
Farms are getting bigger but unfortunately we cannot make our fields any bigger. Which
means a 10 acre field that would have been getting 1500gl/Ac twice a year 10 years ago,
could now receive as soon as restrictions are lifted in excess of 5000gl/Ac on just to allow
space until turnout comes around as they have no other option due to storage
capacities.
A fair majority of Poultry litter is having to be exported out of county Monaghan onto tillage
ground in county’s as far as Kildare which also has a negative knock on effect on the
industries carbon footprint due to travel distances.
Allof these factors have negative impacts in there own ways and an AD plant in the county
would be a great solution to alot of them reducing the stress/pressure on farmers in
dealing with excess manures, adding economic benefits to the local area during the
construction and operation stages through employment, promote Monaghan as a county
seeking to deal with an issue that is a country wide issue, improving the environment and
water quality in the area. By also creating a green energy from a waste product this
creates a circular economy by closing loops, turns waste into value, minimises inputs,
focuses on reusing nutrients and energy, diversifies products and integrates farm
systems which builds resilience, reduces emissions, and creates new income streams.
| personally think there is a place for and should be at least two of these plants In every
county and | hope this recommendation has a positive impact on planning for this
company.
Best Regards
Eoghan Corr
ECAgri Services - Tiernahinch, Clones, Co. Monaghan