A THIRD application to site a €150million power production plant in Ballyneety, County Limerick, has been withdrawn by the applicants, leaving unhappy local residents with a bill of nearly €4,000 for voicing their objections.
The third application to build a 293MW power station at the abandoned Roadstone quarry site at Luddenmore, near the village of Ballyneety, was open for submissions until November 10. However, for a third time, it was withdrawn by applicant Kilshane Energy at the 11th hour.
Suzanne Wall, chairperson of the community committee opposing the plans and a resident near the site, told the Limerick Post that residents “have now spent nearly €4,000 in fees to lodge objections while the company has its application fee refunded under planning regulations. It’s a disgrace.”
Kilshane Energy Ltd originally applied for planning permission in February 2023. The local community got together and opposed the application with an online petition of 841 signatures and 53 submissions lodged.
“Just before the Council could give their decision, the application was withdrawn six days before the submission closing date. No reason was given for the withdrawal,” Suzanne said.
“Then, just six months later, Kilshane again applied for planning, with very little changed from the original application. Again, the community objected and again the application was withdrawn four days before the Council were to give their decision.”
In relation to the latest application, Suzanne said the community “raised 72 submissions, totalling €1,460”.
She said that the cumulative fees paid by locals to object to the three plans “could have been used to improve the local community field or support the school”.
“By withdrawing their application, Kilshane are refunded their application fee, as is standard planning process. Those who submit submissions however, do not get a refund in the event of a withdrawal by the applicant.”
The quarry has been abandoned for the past 14 years and locals say that it has been “reclaimed by nature”.
The local group added that the old quarry site is brimming with wildlife and home to birds of prey, which they argue makes it completely unsuitable as a site for power production.
If any development takes place, they say, it should be a sympathetic development of a wildlife park or protected area.
Ms Wall said that “the feeling locally is that this company are subverting the planning process with this carry on. They are making a mockery of Limerick County Council by applying and then withdrawing at the 11th hour”.
“We have no idea what their game plan is, but the local community will fight every application that is made.”
Kilshane was contacted for comment by the Limerick Post.
