CDP change opens door for anaerobic digestion

A change to the draft Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 will “not prohibit” the prospect of trying to develop anaerobic digestion facilities in the county in the future.

The alteration, to include the word ‘infilling’, was proposed as a Chief Executive Material Amendment.

The CDP will now include as an objective that the council will: ‘Promote the development of heavy industry, infilling and integrated waste management facilities with complementary activities and uses.’

As a vision it reads that the council will: ‘Seek to create and enhance heavy industry, infilling and integrated waste management facilities with a full range of complimentary uses within a well-designed setting that would supply employment opportunities for the county using the best available technical and environmental practices.’

The development of inappropriate uses will be strongly discouraged.

Included in the list as permitted waste is renewable energy installations.

Senior planner Nicholas O’Kane clarified before the matter was put to a vote that the motion referred to the Corranure Recycling Centre near Cavan Town.

Sinn Féin’s Paddy McDonald asked if the motion also encompassed the potential for anaerobic digestion.

Mr O’Kane replied that what is proposed “would not prohibit” such development.

Cllr McDonald pressed further: “Is the door open if it was decided to go down that path?”

“Yes,” responded Mr O’Kane.