Monaghan County Council has made a conditional decision to grant planning permission for a large renewable biogas plant at Drum, close to the Cavan border. Northern Sound reports the decision comes with 27 conditions.
The council's online planning file (reference 26/60018) shows a "Conditional" decision dated 29 October 2026. The applicant is Stream BioEnergy Ireland Limited. The application was received on 28 January 2026. The council asked for further information on 24 March, and the company submitted it on 7 September.
What is planned
The site covers about 8.8 hectares in the townlands of Maghernakelly, Drumcall and Drumgole, west of the R189 and south of the L2280. The application seeks a 10-year permission. According to the planning description, the plant would make renewable biogas from 99,000 tonnes a year of poultry manure, along with other biodegradable agricultural and agri-food materials, using anaerobic digestion.
According to the development description on the council's planning system, the plans include a main process building, six digester tanks, a digestate dryer building and a pellet store. There would also be a biogas upgrade plant, a gas grid entry unit and a new entrance from the L2280.
On its project website, Stream BioEnergy describes a €120 million capital investment. It says the plant would create 30 direct and 75 indirect operational jobs and generate renewable energy for 11,000 homes.
Local opposition
Northern Sound reports that some people in the area support the plant. Others want it built somewhere that would affect fewer people, and some nearby residents have raised concerns about smell and noise. Cavan councillor Stiofán Conaty said there had been "a sea of objections". He called for the rollout of biogas plants to be paused until "fit and proper planning frameworks" and community consultation are in place. He pointed to a similar plan for a biomethane plant at Cootehill.
A conditional decision is not yet a final grant of permission. It can still be appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála before a final grant issues.
