Opposition to proposed Eglinton anaerobic digestion plant expansion

Members of the greater Eglinton community have voiced significant opposition to the proposed “expansion and reconfiguration” of an existing operational anaerobic digestion plant near the village.

The planning application (LA11/2025/0566/F) was submitted to Derry City and Strabane District Council on August 11, 2025 on behalf of the Coleraine based Greenan Generation Ltd.

The company is seeking planning permission for the “proposed expansion and reconfiguration of an existing operational 500kW Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant to include two additional digester tanks, pump building, re-orientated silage clamps, manure shed and underground effluent tank, two additional feeders, replacement farm building to contain Bio-Ammonia Recovery System (BioARS), thermal digestate drying unit and pyrolysis system (digestate processing building), bio-methane gas upgrade plant, grid entry unit, propane tanks, relocated gas flare system, weighbridge, wheelwash, impermeable yard, parking, resurfaced access lane, landscaping, earth berm, lighting, fencing and security gates, access and ancillary site works”.

A decision has yet to be taken on the application, which has received a number of written objections.

One objector said they had been promised but had not yet been shown any plans for the proposed anaerobic digestion plant.

They wrote: “I certainly don’t want any of my family to be lying next to possible explosive propane tanks.

“We have had many issues over the last five years regarding this site, so I utterly object to any expansion going ahead for the health and safety of all my family,” they added.

“There have been two major spills in the past three years, our vehicles have been damaged underneath in both cases, not a penny of compensation did we receive. We have noise issues, crashing and banging every morning of the week, all before the legal time of 7.00am.”

Another objector wrote: “This [development] would impact the air quality of my family and pets and would negatively impact the view and landscape. Additionally, agricultural waste potentially including waste from abattoirs and food processing must be planned as there is mention of a weighing machine which I understand involves heavy transportation, further vile smells and possible road spillage.

“For the reasons outlined above I strongly object to this planning application.”

According to the consultation responses were received from Health and Safety Executive NI; Historic Environment Division (Historic Monuments); Loughs Agency; City of Derry Airport; Department for Infrastructure Roads; Department for Infrastructure Rivers; and NI Electricity Networks, in relation to the proposed anaerobic digestion plant.

Department of Infrastructure Roads and Department of Infrastructure Rivers have both sought additional information from the applicant in order to assess the planning application.

The Loughs Agency said its primary concern in relation to the proposed anaerobic digestion plant was “silt laden water or deleterious matter reaching any nearby watercourses”.

It wrote: “Loughs Agency Conservation and Protection staff carried out pollution sampling at this site (May 2021) due to a digestate spillage entering the drainage network.

“Loughs Agency are content that the mitigation measures put forward in the Construction Environmental Management Plan and Drainage Assessment are sufficient to protect the aquatic environment,” it added.

“Loughs Agency notes the use of attenuation measures during the construction phase. Construction of SuDS features should comply with the standards in the design manual 'Guidance for Construction of SuDS' (CIRIA C768).

“The applicant should demonstrate best environmental practice when working close to watercourses. The potential for deleterious matter to enter a watercourse is of primary concern.

“Impacts on the aquatic environment such as a decrease in water quality can cause a significant impact upon various life history stages of fish species.

“The applicant should also be aware that it is an offence under section 41 of the Foyle Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1952 to cause pollution which is detrimental to fisheries interests.

A spokesperson for EAG Bioenergy which has entered into a joint venture with Greenan Generation Ltd told The Derry News: “EAG Bioenergy acquired the existing plant outside Eglinton in 2021, and was well aware that in due course it would require upgrading.

“After investing moderately in the safety and integrity of the plant, we took the decision to apply for planning to expand and upgrade the plant to ensure it was a best in class asset; decarbonizing the gas grid, managing and processing the nutrients to eradicate land spreading, and improving the noise, emissions and odour from the site were all at the core of its design.

“All these features can be clearly seen in the plans, which we have invested heavily in to ensure that our development in Eglinton is a significant improvement for all local neighbours and stakeholders.

“EAG is a Northern Irish founded company with local management, and we will bring significant investment and economic benefit to the local and wider community through additional jobs and long terms supply contracts, as well as making our contribution to pollution reduction and decarbonization of the local and National gas grid.”