*Ciaran O’Donnell speaking at Gort Biogas Public Meeting 2/11/26 Picture credits: Andreas Riemenschneider
MORE than 140 people attended a public meeting in Gort where campaigners renewed their call for An Coimisiún Pleanála to make a decision on a proposed biogas plant without seeking further information from the developer.
The Gort Biogas Concern Group held the meeting in Sullivan’s Hotel on Monday night (November 2), updating the community on the latest developments in its eight-year campaign against the proposed facility.
An online petition opposing the proposed development has also attracted more than 1,000 signatures.
The group says significant questions remain unanswered despite several rounds of requests for further information from Galway County Council and An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Among the issues highlighted were the proposed disposal of 150,000 tonnes of digestate annually, water requirements equivalent to those of more than 300 domestic houses, flooding risks, major accident assessments, heavy goods vehicle (HGV) traffic, and potential noise and odour impacts.
Group spokesperson Ciaran O’Donnell said the turnout demonstrated the strength of opposition to the development, describing it as heartening to see such a large attendance after eight years of campaigning.
He said the community had repeatedly highlighted gaps in the developer’s application, arguing that residents were effectively having to undertake work that should be addressed through the planning process.
“We have worked on this for eight years to present logical, fact-based research and present it to the community to let them make their own decisions, while the developer simply rehashes the same thing over and over,” he said.
Mr O’Donnell said the group’s request was clear, calling on An Coimisiún Pleanála to make a decision based on the information already before it, rather than seeking further information from the developer.
He said the developer had been given ample opportunity over the years to address concerns, adding that the campaign group was now highlighting issues it believed should have been identified during the planning process.
Mr O’Donnell warned that the community could face another judicial review if permission was granted, but said the group was prepared to continue its challenge.
He also highlighted the wider implications of the proposed development, describing the campaign as a ‘David and Goliath’ battle between rural communities and large agri-business developers.
The proposed facility, which is being advanced by Sustainable Bio-Energy Limited, has been the subject of renewed planning activity following the submission of further information by the developer. A new period for public observations is currently open, with submissions due by November 19.
The group will hold a submission clinic in Sullivan’s Hotel on Monday, November 9, to assist members of the public in preparing responses to the planning process.
