An appeal against the expansion of a large meat processing facility in Monaghan has been rejected.
The decision to grant permission to Silver Hill Foods based in Emyvale was upheld by An Bórd Pleanála. The original application to Monaghan County Council called for the construction of a single storey factory development incorporating chilling, plucking, and processing areas, offices, a canteen, and single storey conveyor linkage to the existing factory.
Also included is additional car parking and a single storey extension to the side of an existing storage shed to incorporate an offal processing facility as well as the installation of solar panels. Monaghan county planners granted the application however it was subsequently appealed to the higher planning authority. The appeal was lodged by the Glaslough Tyholland Group Water Scheme.
The group's appeal cited a number of concerns including the effect of the drip irrigation system on the water quality in Emy Lough. According to the group, 4,500 people get their drinking water from the lake and the proposed irrigation system has not been properly assessed for environmental risk.
An Bórd Pleanála examined the case and decided to grant permission for the development subject to 11 conditions. In it's report, the authority states that there would be no significant negative impacts to the environment as long as mitigation measures are followed. It also states that the proposed drip irrigation system would not have a negative effect on water quality in Emy Lough.
