SLR CONSULTING IRELAND DRAWING/DOCUMENT ISSUE SHEET
PROJECT: Stream BioEnergy- Proposed Renewable BioEnergy Plant JOB NO:
501.00193.00003
CREATION/ISSUE DATE DRAWINGS, CALCULATION SHEETS AND OTHER DESIGN DOCUMENTS V
REGISTER ~ e ,.. 0
DRGNo DESCRIPTION REVISION STATUS
DOCUMENT NUMBER DESCRIPTION Stream BioEnergy • Proposed Renewable BioEnerov Plant Huntstown, North Road. Finglas, Dublin 11 Environmental Impact Statement Volume 1 • Non Tecnical Summarv 0 Volume 11 - EIS 0 Volime Ill - Appendices 0
ISSUE TO: NO. OF COPIES:
Environmental Protection AgenCY (EPA): Hard Copy 1 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Soft Copy 1
ISSUED BY (INITIAL) TP
COMMENTS: Ll
Signed as True Copy ksL~ng Ireland)
SQF 3057 Issue 1 Rev A Jan-2008
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Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant
at
Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11
Environmental Impact Statement
STREAM BIOENERGY LTD
Prepared by: SLR Consulting Ireland,7 Dundrum Business Park,Windy Arbour,Dublin 14.
August 2013
VOLUME II - EIS
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Volume II – Environmental Impact StatementTable of Contents
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VOLUME II EIS TABLE OF CONTENTS
Stream BioEnergy 1-1 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
SLR Consulting Ireland
Chapter 1 .....................................................................................................Introduction
Chapter 2 ...............................................................................Development Description
Chapter 3 ..............................................................................................Planning Policy
Chapter 4 ..................................................................................................Waste Policy
Chapter 5 .........................................................................Consideration of Alternatives
Chapter 6 ....................................................................................................Consultation
Chapter 7 ................................................................................................Human Beings
Chapter 8 ..................................................................................Air Quality and Climate
Chapter 9 ....................................................................................Landscape and Visual
Chapter 10 ............................................................................................................Noise
Chapter 11 ...........................................................................................Flora and Fauna
Chapter 12 ........................................................................................Soils and Geology
Chapter 13 ......................................................................................................Hydrology
Chapter 14 ................................................................................................Hydrogeology
Chapter 15 ...........................................................................................Cultural Heritage
Chapter 16 ....................................................................................Traffic and Transport
Chapter 17 ........................................................................Interactions of the Foregoing
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Chapter 1
Introduction
Ch
ap
ter
1
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INTRODUCTION 1
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1-1
THE APPLICANT ..................................................................................................... 1-1
THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ......................................................................... 1-1
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) .................................................... 1-4
Environmental Impact Assessment Screening ...................................................... 1-5
Objectives and Purpose of the Environmental Impact Statement.......................... 1-5
Format of the Environmental Impact Statement .................................................... 1-6
APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT .............................................................................. 1-8
CONTROL OF MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS INVOLVING DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES REGULATIONS, 2006 .................................................................... 1-8
CONTRIBUTORS .................................................................................................... 1-9
FIGURES ............................................................................................................... 1-11
TABLES
Table 1-1 Contributors to Environmental Impact Statement ................................... 1-10
PLATES
Plate 1-2 Overview of Anaerobic Digestion Process ................................................ 1-2
FIGURES
Figure 1-1 Regional Site Location Map .................................................................. 1-11
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-1 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
INTRODUCTION
1.1 This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared on behalf of
Stream BioEnergy (SBE) Limited and is being submitted in support of a
planning application for a Renewable Bioenergy Plant (hitherto referred to as
the plant) at Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, County Dublin, see Figure 1-1.
1.2 It is proposed that the plant will be built on lands which are zoned for heavy
industrial use in the current Fingal Development Plan, 2011-2017. The
application site covers an area of 2.38 hectares (5.9 acres) and is within the
Huntstown Quarry complex, approximately 400 metres west of North Road
(Coldwinters cul-de-sac) and adjacent to the Huntstown Power Station.
THE APPLICANT
1.3 SBE is an independent, Irish owned, energy development company with a
vision for a sustainable energy future where renewable resources will
overtake coal, oil and other fossil fuels as the world’s primary fuels for
electricity generation.
1.4 As part of this vision SBE promotes anaerobic digestion (AD) technology to
generate renewable energy from organic materials. SBE believes that AD
presents a significant opportunity to deliver a better, safer and more secure
clean energy future for Ireland in a way that safeguards the environment.
1.5 SBE covers all aspects of project development from conception, acquiring
regulatory consents, financing and construction, through to operation. The
company’s management team has extensive experience of developing and
operating renewable energy infrastructure throughout Europe.
THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
1.6 SBE is proposing to utilise AD technology in Dublin to generate renewable
energy from primarily domestic and commercial organic waste. The proposed
plant, if permitted, will process up to 90,000 per annum (tpa) of non-
hazardous biodegradable waste such as food and kitchen waste from
households, restaurants, caterers and retail premises, as well as similar
waste from food and beverage processing plants.
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-2 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
1.7 The plant will generate a consistent supply of up to 3.8MW of renewable
electricity, which is enough energy to power 7,500 local homes annually.
Heat generated will be reused in the AD process and can also be made
available to neighbouring enterprises that may have a use for it.
1.8 AD is a sustainable form of renewable energy production through a naturally
occurring process in which micro-organisms break down biodegradable
material, in the absence of oxygen in an enclosed system.
1.9 The process produces a biogas, which is largely made up of methane (60%)
and carbon dioxide (40%), and a compost like material, known as ‘digestate’.
The digestate is nutrient rich, and free from odour, contaminants and
pathogens and can be used as an organic biofertiliser which replaces the use
of artificial fertilisers. The biogas is converted into renewable heat and
electricity for use in homes and businesses.
1.10 An overview of the process is presented in Plate 1-2.
Plate 1-2 Overview of Anaerobic Digestion Process
1.11 AD is a proven, efficient, and environmentally sustainable technology that
delivers multiple benefits. Germany currently has over 7,500 operating AD
plants, which add millions of Euros to its economy. While AD has been used
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-3 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
successfully for decades in the UK water sector, with approximately 150
operating plants, until recently there were only a handful of plants operating
in other sectors. However, the UK industry has grown rapidly in the last 5
years, with 92 plants currently operating outside the water sector and
hundreds more in the planning process.
1.12 The proposed plant will help Ireland meet a number of important EU
commitments, as well as contributing towards achieving national recycling
targets. EU Directives, such as the Waste Framework Directive
(2008/98/EC), encourage the use of AD to convert non-hazardous organic
material, which is currently discarded, into renewable energy and a nutrient
rich fertiliser.
1.13 The EU’s Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) sets mandatory targets for a
reduction in the amount of biodegradable municipal waste disposed of to
landfill, and this material can be processed by AD. The plant can therefore
make a significant contribution to the management of organic materials in
Ireland.
1.14 Energy sourced from the plant will diversify the national fuel mix, thereby
reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels, the price of which are subject
to global energy market trends.
1.15 The plant will also play an important role in the fight against climate change
as it will reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions to the atmosphere. This is
achieved due to the replacement of fossil fuels through the production of
renewable energy, and because organic materials are processed in a totally
enclosed system which prevents the uncontrolled release of methane, nitrous
oxide and other gases which can occur when organic waste degrades in
landfill.
1.16 In addition to improvements in air quality the plant will deliver other
environmental enhancements including water quality benefits as it reduces
organic pollution potential and destroys pathogenic and faecal micro-
organisms in digestate which can be used as a biofertiliser to replace organic
manures, slurry and artificial fertilisers.
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-4 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
1.17 A key characteristic of the proposed plant in terms of its potential socio-
economic impact, relates to its capital value, of which a significant portion will
be for the purchase of Irish sourced goods and services. The construction
phase will provide a boost for the construction sector in terms of employment
generation, with approxiamtely 30 jobs created, and capital spend on
materials and construction labour costs. When operating the plant will employ
16 permanent positions. In addition, indirect employment will be created
through the provision of support services to the plant.
1.18 Materials and services including transport, accommodation, catering,
landscaping and trade services will be sourced locally where possible
thereby generating additional local revenue. In this way, the plant will
promote the retention of money in the local economy.
1.19 The potential for AD to help Ireland meet some of its most challenging goals
in terms of growth, carbon reduction, resource recovery and the emerging
green economy is substantial. The timely provision of services and utilities
and security of energy supply are essential in meeting both business and
residential needs. At a time when demand for alternative energy supplies is
higher than ever, energy recovered from waste will help to make Ireland
more self-sufficient through providing a reliable source of renewable, green
energy supply.
1.20 AD is recognised as a proven and sustainable way of utilising waste as a
resource and the development of infrastructure such as that proposed in this
application is provided for and supported by EU legislation and national
planning and waste policy. This type of facility is urgently needed to assist
the government to achieve its EU targets relating to waste and energy. A
more detailed overview of the relevant supporting legislation and policies is
provided in Chapters 3 and 4.
1.21 A comprehensive description of the nature and extent of the proposed
development is presented in Chapter 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) 1.1 Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are carried out in response to the
requirements of the European Community Council Directives on the
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-5 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment. The enabling statutory instruments (S.I.’s) which transpose
these Directives into law in Ireland are the European Communities
(Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1989, as updated by the
Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2006 (the EIA Regulations), with the
main legislation being S.I. 600/01. These Regulations outline the classes of
projects subject to Environmental Impact Assessment and the statutory
format and content for an EIS.
Environmental Impact Assessment Screening
1.22 The proposed development falls within Part 2 of Schedule 5, ‘installations for
the disposal of waste with an annual intake greater than 25,000 tonnes not
included in Part 1’ of development for the purposes of Part 10 of the
Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended).
1.23 The proposed annual intake is 90,000 tonnes per annum; an EIS therefore
accompanies the planning application to Fingal County Council.
Objectives and Purpose of the Environmental Impact Statement
1.24 An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is defined as ‘a statement of the
effects, if any, which the proposed development, if carried out, would have on
the environment’.1 As such, it is a systematic evaluation of the positive and
negative impacts of a project on both the natural and human environments.
1.25 The principal objectives of an EIS are to:
• Identify and / or predict the significant impacts of a development.
• Identify what mitigation measures should be incorporated into the
development to eliminate or reduce the perceived impacts.
• Interpret and communicate the above information on the impact of the
proposed development, in both technical and non-technical terms.
• Assist the Local Planning Authority in the decision making process with
respect to the associated planning application.
1 SI No. 349 of 89 (Art 3 (1))
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-6 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
Format of the Environmental Impact Statement
1.26 This EIS has been prepared in accordance with Schedule 6 of the Planning
and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) and conforms to the
relevant requirements as specified therein. The EIS has also been
undertaken having regard to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Guidelines on information to be contained in Environmental Impact
Statements (2002) and Advice Notes on Current Practice in preparation of
Environmental Impact Statements (2003) and the European Commission
document Guidance on EIA, EIS Review (2001).
1.27 In addition the EIA has been carried out taking due consideration of other
guidance documents, where appropriate, along with various guidance
documents relating to the assessment of individual issues (see methodology
presented in each individual assessment).
1.28 The assessment has been undertaken as an iterative process rather than a
one-off, post-design environmental appraisal. Findings from the
environmental assessments have been fed into the design process, resulting
in a project which achieves a ‘best fit’ within the environment.
1.29 The EIS is presented in the ‘Grouped Format Structure’ as described in the
Guidelines on Information to be Contained in an EIS (EPA, 2002). This
format examines each topic as a separate section referring to the following:
• a description of the site and the existing environment;
• a description of the proposed development; the impacts, if any, resulting
from the proposed development;
• the measures to mitigate any adverse impacts; and
• a non-technical summary.
The advantages of using this format are that it is easy to investigate a single
topic and it facilitates easy cross-reference to specialist studies.
1.30 The EIS is sub divided into 4 Volumes as follows:
• Volume I Non Technical Summary;
• Volume II Environmental Impact Statement;
• Volume III Appendices to Environmental Impact Statement; and,
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-7 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
1.31 Volume II, is presented as 17 chapters, as an overview they comprise:
• Chapter 1, Introduction: sets out the background to, and location of, the
proposed plant, as well as providing details on the EIA process;
• Chapter 2, Development Description: describes the context of the plant,
the design, and physical nature of the facility and its use, including
operational processes and issues such as access, drainage etc.;
• Chapters 3 and 4, summarise the planning and waste policy context that
supports the proposed development;
• Chapter 5, Consideration of Alternatives: describes the alternatives
considered including site selection, design iterations and alternative
technologies;
• Chapter 6, Consultation, summarises the consultation undertaken with
regulatory bodies and interested stakeholders; and
• Chapters 7 to 17, presents the environmental assessments, and include
detailed information for each topic on the existing environment, potential
significant impacts on the environment as a result of the proposed
development, if any, followed by mitigation measures to reduce or
alleviate identified impacts. They are grouped under the following
headings:
o Chapter 7 Human Beings
o Chapter 8 Air Quality and Climate
o Chapter 9 Landscape and Visual
o Chapter 10 Noise and Vibration
o Chapter 11 Flora and Fauna
o Chapter 12 Soils and Geology
o Chapter 13 Hydrology
o Chapter 14 Hydrogeology
o Chapter 15 Cultural Heritage
o Chapter 16 Traffic and Transport
o Chapter 17 Interactions of the Foregoing
1.32 Associated references and figures, where applicable, are provided at the end
of each chapter.
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-8 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT
1.33 Appropriate Assessment is required to be carried out under the Habitats
Directive and specifically Article 6(3) thereof for plans or projects likely to
have significant effects on Natura 2000 sites. It is most recently implemented
under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations
2011.
1.34 Appropriate Assessment is required to be carried out for development on or
adjacent to sites classified by the Minister pursuant to the regulations as
special areas of conservations (SACs) or special protection areas (SPAs).
Specifically Article 42(1) of the 2011 Regulations requires public authorities
to screen for Appropriate Assessment a plan or project, which is not directly
connected with or necessary to the management of the site as a European
Site, in view of best scientific knowledge and the conservation objectives of
the site, to assess the plan or project not only individually but also in
combination with other plans or projects likely to have a significant effect on
the European site.
1.35 A Planning Authority can only authorise the development if it is satisfied that
there is no reasonable scientific doubt as to the absence of effects which
would adversely affect the integrity of an area of special protection, in light of
the site’s conservation objectives.
1.36 It has to be established that a proposed development will not disrupt those
factors that maintain a favourable condition, or will not interfere in any
significant way with any of the species referred to as “qualifying interests" or
"special conservation interests". In this regard, a separate report prepared by
SLR Consulting accompanies this application entitled ‘Natura Impact
Statement: Provision of Information to Inform an Appropriate Assessment’.
CONTROL OF MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS INVOLVING DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES REGULATIONS, 2006
1.37 As Huntstown Power Station qualifies as an establishment under the Seveso
Regulations, the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) can be requested to
provide an opinion on any developments proposed in the vicinity of this site.
The HSA have issued a guidance document (Health & Safety Authority,
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-9 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
2010) which outlines the approach they would use when making such a
determination. This report sets out the findings when carrying out such an
assessment using the HSA‟s guidance.
1.38 A separate report prepared by Byrne Ó Cléirigh Consulting entitled,
‘Assessment of Land Use Planning Implications for the Development of a
Renewable Bioenergy Plant at Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11’,
accompanies this application. The report sets out the findings of an
assessment into the potential implications under the Seveso Regulations (SI
74 of 2006) of locating the proposed plant adjacent to Huntstown Power
Station, particularly with respect to Land Use Planning (LUP) matters. The
findings of the assessment demonstrate that the proposed development at
this location satisfies the HSA‟s criteria for Land Use Planning matters, and
the HSA would not advise against the development on this basis.
CONTRIBUTORS
1.39 For the development of this project SBE engaged a broad-based
collaboration of highly skilled and experienced engineers, environmental
consultants and specialists experienced in the permitting, licensing, design,
engineering and operation of AD facilities.
1.40 SLR Consulting are the lead consultant on the project and were assisted by
the following specialists in the preparation of the EIS (see Table 1-1).
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-10 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
Table 1-1 Contributors to Environmental Impact Statement
Company Aspect
Project Management, Production, Evaluation and Reporting. Human Beings, Noise and Vibration, Flora and Fauna, Soils and Geology, Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Interactions of the Foregoing.
Planning Consultant
Air Quality and Climate
Landscape and Visual
Cultural Heritage
Traffic and Transport
Process Engineers
Architectural Services and Planning Drawings
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INTRODUCTION 1
Stream BioEnergy 1-11 SLR Consulting Ireland Proposed Renewable Bioenergy Plant Huntstown, North Road, Finglas, Dublin11
FIGURES
Figure 1-1 Regional Site Location Map
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SITE LOCATION
Regional Site Location MapScale 1:100000
N
W
S
E
Huntstown Renewable Bioenergy PlantApplication Area (c 2.382 ha)
Regional Site Location Map InsetScale 1:50000
Roadstone Wood Ltd Landholding Area(c 212 ha)
NOTES1. BASED ON 1:50000 ORDNANCE SURVEYIRELAND DISCOVERY SERIES MAPPING - MAPNO's. - OS3022_D, OS3024_D, OS3222_D &OS3224_D.
2. ORDNANCE SURVEY IRELAND LICENCENO. AR0116513 (C) ORDNANCE SURVEY &GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND
3. © COPYRIGHT RESTS WITH VISION DESIGNTHIS DRAWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCEDWHOLELY OR IN PART WITHOUT THEEXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF VISIONDESIGN
LEGEND
Scale Date
Revision Drawn By Chkd By Date Comments
CLIENT:SLR CONSULTING IRELAND
7 DUNDRUM BUSINESS PARKWINDY ARBOUR
DUBLIN 14T: +353-1-2964667F: +353-1-2964676
www.slrconsulting.com
SLR CONSULTING IRELAND7 DUNDRUM BUSINESS PARK
WINDY ARBOURDUBLIN 14
T: +353-1-2964667F: +353-1-2964676
www.slrconsulting.com
Proposed Huntstown Renewable Bioenergy Plant
Huntstown, North Road,Finglas, Dublin 11
Title - Regional Site Location Map
Figure 1-1
1:100000 / A3 July 2013
A PG MB July'13
+
--
STREAM IOIMII.OY
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