An Bórd Pleanála has refused permission for an agricultural anaerobic digestion facility in North Kerry for the second time in the last year.
Sanford Energy applied for, and was originally granted, permission by Kerry County Council to construct an energy facility and retain existing buildings at a site in Causeway.
The proposed facility would process 14,000 tonnes of crops and cattle slurry to generate electricity and provide biogas for local community buildings.
Locals appealed the decision, which has now been overturned by An Bórd Pleanála.
For the second time in the space of 12 months, An Bórd Pleanála has overturned a decision by Kerry County Council to allow for the construction of an agricultural anaerobic digestion facility at Dromkeen West in Causeway.
Sanford Energy applied to retain and complete the facility in 2019, and was granted permission by the council subject to 17 conditions.
This was subsequently overturned by An Bórd Pleanála in June last year following appeals from locals and the Kerry Education and Training Board.
Less than a month later, Sanford applied for permission from the council to construct two digestion tanks, a storage silo, biogas flare, an ESB substation, as well as a concrete underground covered soiled water tank, and retention of existing buildings and access road.
The council granted permission in December, once again subject to 17 conditions, but this was again appealed by locals and the Kerry Education Training Board.
Concerns were raised about the drainage system plans, its proximity to Causeway Comprehensive secondary school and Causeway GAA grounds, and that the proposal was largely the same as the one refused by the Board last year.
In refusing the proposal, An Bórd Pleanála said it could not be satisfied the proposed development would not adversely affect the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation.
