Local Activists have launched a court challenge against planning approval for a proposed Biogas Plant in Gort.
The Gort Biogas Concern Group has been given leave to seek a judicial review of the biogas plant project by the High Court.
In an update on social media, the local campaigning group said, “This means we are over the first hurdle in our legal campaign against this industrial sized development in the heart of our town.”
“Well done to the people of South Galway for your unwavering support. Our fight is by no means over.”
An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the Biogas plant shortly before Christmas, overturning two rejections of the project by Galway County Council.
In both rejections, the council had raised road traffic concerns, as well as concerns about environmental implications.
The proposed Biogas plant would be built on a 10ha site in the townlands of Ballynamantan, Kinincha and Glenbrack on the outskirts of Gort, producing fertiliser and energy through the treatment of farm waste.
The project has been heavily opposed locally, with hundreds of objections submitted to the county council at that planning stage.
Last January, Gort Biogas Concern Group held a public meeting to discuss planned legal action against the proposal, with hundreds of people in attendance.
Over €16,000 was pledged towards that legal action at the time, with more than €38,000 pledged on GoFundMe since then.
