WELCOME
Welcome to this public community consultation event.
This community information event follows a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) submitted to Derry City and Strabane District Council in March 2026 notifying the Council that a formal full planning application will be submitted after the required 12 week notice period expires in accordance with Section 27 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
The event and consultation boards have been prepared to illustrate the following development on behalf of EAG Bioenergy:
Proposed expansion and reconfiguration of an existing operational 500kw Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant to include 2no. additional digester tanks, pump building, reorientated silage clamps, additional feeder, replacement of existing 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, lighting, fencing and security gates, access and ancillary site works.
Lands approximately 15 metres west of 33 Carmoney Road, Eglinton, BT47 3JJ.
Your feedback on the proposal at tonight’s event is very much welcomed as all matters raised will be taken into consideration and reflected upon in the formal application submission.
WHO ARE EAG BIOENERGY?
EAG Bioenergy are a Northern Irish run business who acquire and invest in biogas, biomethane, biofertiliser assets and other related projects. Their mission is to build, optimise and responsibly manage a portfolio that has a meaningful impact on national decarbonisation targets and enhances resource security. EAG Bioenergy is backed by OrbeNovo Capital, a specialist private equity firm investing in growth businesses and real assets across the Energy and Industrial sectors with a focus on decarbonisation.
EAG Bioenergy’s aim is to reconfigure existing AD plants in order to improve efficiency, profitability and contribute to decarbonisation targets. EAG employs 10 people in Northern Ireland, as well as a further 16 in other rural parts of the UK. They are headquartered in Toomebridge.
The existing Greenan AD plant is operated by EAG, working closely with Montgomery Brothers, a local dairy farming and agricultural contracting services business. The existing plant utilises approximately 22,500 tonnes of feedstock including grass silage, whole crop rye and maize meal, cattle slurry and poultry litter to produce renewable electricity and heat via a 499kWel Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant.
BACKGROUND - NEED
Anaerobic Digestion (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 to produce biogas.
The proposed development seeks to introduce advanced treatment technologies including an ammonia recovery system, digestate drying and biochar production through pyrolysis allowing all digestate to be treated on site thereby eliminating the requirement to land spread raw digestate as per the existing arrangement. These technologies will enable the recovery
of nutrients as low-carbon biofertilisers and phosphorous rich biochar. The recovered biogas will be upgraded to grid specification using plant on site and injected into the local gas network displacing fossil fuel natural gas.
The proposed development therefore represents a closed-loop circular bioeconomy model with regionally exportable products which will contribute to the achievement of renewable energy, waste management and climate change targets as well as representing a bestpractice example of circular bioeconomy infrastructure providing:
• Improved digestate management;
• Ammonia emissions reduction;
• Carbon sequestration;
• Agricultural emissions reduction;
• Phosphorus capture and water quality improvement;
• Soil health enhancement;
• Improved monitoring, reporting and verification; and
• Job creation and skills development.
THE SITE AND SURROUNDING CONTEXT
Site
The proposed site is located at lands adjacent to and west of 33 Carmoney Road, Eglinton, Co. Londonderry, BT47 3JJ approximately 1km southeast of the small settlement of Campsey and approx. 1.4km west of the village of Eglinton.
The existing operational 500kW AD plant was approved under planning permission A/2011/0416/F on 17 August 2012. The site is set back approx. 375m from Carmoney Road to the north and approx. 337m (south) and 359m (east) from Backhill Road. The site is currently accessed via a private lane adjoining Carmoney Road between nos. 29A and 35.
Digestate from the existing AD plant is currently separated and spread on land in accordance with Nutrient Management Plans.
The subject site represents a suitable location for the AD plant and meets the following key site considerations:
• Existing operational facility;
• Is closely related to the trunk road network;
• Has the capacity to integrate the additional buildings/plant in a sensitive manner by clustering with existing buildings and structures;
• Has a favourable established planning land use and the baseline activity in transport, noise and related environmental factors this presents; and
• Relatively peripheral to sensitive receptors with the nearest (bar No. 33 Carmoney Road), 24-28 Backhill Road located over 265m from the site.
Surroundings
The surrounding lands are rural in character and in agricultural use. The site is located in an elevated position and the wider lands generally fall away to the south towards the Foyle Estuary.
There are no environmental or landscape designations nor any scheduled monuments or listed buildings identified within the site or the surrounding area.
The site is located approximately 650m north west of another AD plant located at 19A Backhill Road, Eglinton
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
The proposed development seeks to introduce additional infrastructure and advanced treatment technologies including an ammonia recovery system, digestate drying and biochar production through pyrolysis allowing all digestate to be treated on site thereby eliminating the requirement to land spread raw digestate as per the existing arrangement. These technologies will enable the recovery of nutrients as low-carbon biofertilisers and phosphorous rich biochar. The recovered biogas will be upgraded to grid specification using plant on site and injected into the local gas network displacing fossil fuel natural gas.
The proposed development comprises the following elements:
Proposed
Digestate Processing Building
Additional Digester Tanks
Pump Building
Reorientated Silage Clamps
Effluent tank
Manure Shed
Additional Feeder
Propane Tanks
The existing farm storage building on site will be replaced with a new building. This building will contain the BioARS and pyrolysis plant and equipment.
2no. digester tanks located south of the existing tanks. Diameter – 28.2m, height (tank side) - 6m, height (top of gas dome) – 12.7m.
This building will contain pumps to circulate materials around the plant.
The existing silage clamps will be demolished and replaced with new covered silos orientated at 90° to the original clamps.
Located adjacent to the silage clamps and required to capture any liquid discharge from the clamps where it is stored before being recycled back into the AD process.
A new 108m2 building is proposed opposite the covered silos to store a maximum of 45 tonnes of poultry litter at any one time. The building is to be finished in juniper green cladding to the upper walls and roof with a smooth concrete finish to the lower walls. A roller shutter door is proposed which will remain closed at all times except during loading and unloading.
An additional feeder is proposed which is required to feed the increased volumes of feedstock into the plant system.
Required to store excess gas before it is injected into the Firmus Energy natural gas network.
Gas Upgrader Plant to purify raw biogas to biomethane quality before injection.
Grid Entry Unit
Relocated Gas Flare System
Plant required to inject biomethane into the Firmus Energy natural gas network.
Flare system for use during initial recommissioning and as a backup during routine engine maintenance.
Weighbridge To record incoming feedstock vehicles and departing end product collection vehicles.
Wheel wash
To clean vehicle wheels to prevent carry-over of mud and debris around the plant and off-site.
Car Parking Dedicated parking area adjacent to the digestate processing building for staff and visitors
Access
Landscaping
Lighting
Fencing and Security Gates
Acoustic Barrier
The proposal will utilise an existing farm access (located between nos. 23 and 27 Carmoney Road) with 2.4m x 100m visibility splays in place. This access connects to the AD plant via internal farm tracks, some of which are proposed to be upgraded.
All existing boundary vegetation is proposed to be retained and augmented where possible. It is proposed to plant native species trees to the site boundaries to improve enclosure and provide further visual screening. Additional planting is proposed to the eastern gable of the proposed silos to soften views of same from the nearest residential property at 33 Carmoney Road.
Floodlights are proposed at strategic locations around the site. All external lighting will be downward facing and protected with a cowl to reduce light spill.
1.8m high security fencing is proposed around the site perimeter and an access gate is to be located at the site entrance at the top of the access lane.
A 2m high acoustic barrier is proposed at the site’s boundary with 33 Carmoney Road. This barrier will have no gaps and a mass of at least 10 kg/m2.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Access and Transport
A Transport Assessment Form (TAF) has been prepared to support the planning application. The proposed access represents significant betterment over the existing AD plant access which is substandard with visibility splays of just 2.4m x 10m. The nature and frequency of associated traffic movements will not prejudice the safety and convenience of road users.
The addition of a wheel wash will also ensure there is no nuisance to neighbouring residents by virtue of dirt and dust.
Landscape and Visual
Photomontages and a detailed landscaping plan have been prepared and these visualisations demonstrate how the proposal can be integrated into the landscape from key viewpoints.
All existing boundary vegetation is proposed to be retained and augmented where possible. It is also proposed to plant native species trees to the site boundaries to improve enclosure and provide further visual screening. Additional planting is proposed to the eastern gable of the proposed silos to soften views of same from the nearest residential property at 33 Carmoney Road.
Biodiversity / Ecology
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal has been prepared which demonstrates that there are no protected habitats or species on site and the buildings and trees within the site have negligible bat roosting potential.
The nearest designated habitats to the site are Lough Foyle Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SPA) and River Faughan and Tributaries ASSI / Ramsar site both of which are located approx. 1.5km northwest of the site. The Air Quality Impact Assessment demonstrates that the proposal will have no impact on any designated site.
A Construction Environmental Management Plan has been prepared to ensure best practice construction measures will be adhered to on site to prevent any adverse impact upon ecological or hydrological features.
Noise
A Noise Impact Assessment has been prepared which demonstrates that, with the addition of an acoustic barrier, the proposed development will not result in an adverse impact on the amenity of any sensitive receptor.
Odour and Air Quality
All processes on site will take place within sealed, enclosed systems. An Odour and Air Quality Impact Assessment has been prepared which demonstrates that the proposal will not result in an adverse impact on the amenity of nearby residential dwellings nor will it have a damaging impact on human health or sensitive habitats through increased ammonia emissions.
Given that the proposal will result in improved digestate management and nutrient traceability, a reduction in ammonia and other agricultural emissions, improved carbon sequestration and a greater level of phosphorus capture, there will also be no adverse impact on either air or water quality.
Drainage and Flooding
A Drainage Assessment (DA) has been prepared which demonstrates that the site is not located within the floodplain and the proposed development will not cause or exacerbate flooding elsewhere.
Additionally, DA provides detail regarding the directing of surface water and demonstrates that adequate measures have been designed to manage surface water effectively. Pollution control is proposed through a bypass separator upstream of the outfall to downstream watercourses.
Measures will be taken to ensure that:
• There will be no unacceptable adverse impact on nature conservation interests;
• There will be no unacceptable adverse impact on built heritage interests;
• There will be no demonstrable harm to residential amenity by way of noise or odour;
• The proposal will visually integrate into the existing landscape;
• The proposed site is not at risk of flooding and the proposal will not cause or exacerbate flooding elsewhere; and
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
We kindly thank you for taking the time to look through the consultation boards and welcome your feedback on the project and the prospect of the proposed development proceeding through planning.
Your feedback will be taken into consideration by the design team and potential amendments made when finalising the proposal.
A formal planning application will be submitted to Derry City and Strabane District Council following the end of the 12 week notice period for public consultation.
• The access to the site and the nature and frequency of associated traffic movements will not prejudice the safety and convenience of road users or constitute a nuisance to neighbouring residents by virtue of noise, dirt and dust.
The proposed development seeks to upgrade the existing AD plant to permit the injection of renewable biomethane gas into the local firmus network to help power major local employers and services like DuPont Maydown and Altnagelvin Hospital thereby reducing reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels. The proposal will also give local farmers a reliable, long-term way to manage livestock slurry in line with the
latest environmental legislation, policy and guidance.
The project will utilise modern technology and systems to track nutrients and emissions in real time and all products produced on site will have “digital passports” to ensure complete traceability for regulators and the local community.
In closing, the proposed development is intended to go beyond “Net Zero” to “NetNegative” by capturing ammonia to make fertiliser and locking carbon into a stable material called
The proposal represents a Local Solution for Renewable Energy, Clean Water, and a Stronger Farming Economy.
The application will be accompanied by a Pre-Application Community Consultation (PACC) report, Design and Access Statement, Planning Supporting Statement, technical and environmental reports and a suite of detailed application drawings for consideration by the Council and its statutory consultees.
Once submitted, the opportunity for public engagement in the decisionmaking process will take place in the normal manner through the submission of representations to the Council following the application’s advertisement and neighbour notification procedures.
We welcome your feedback
Any comments regarding the proposed development are welcomed and can be provided in the feedback forms available.
Alternatively, you can email your comments by 30 April to: gavinmcg@clydeshanks.com
If you have any queries regarding the information contained on these boards, please ask a member of the project team who will be happy to assist. A copy of the information displayed can be provided on request.