Questions have been asked of the difference between a Benburb-based company’s intentions to invest £9million in a renewable biomass energy plant and those put forward by an engineering firm for a similar scheme just miles away.
O&S Doors – on the Syerla Road – moved to address community concerns specifically in relation to their own plans earlier last week (February 2).
Dermot O’Brien, Operations Director at O&S Doors, assured Armagh I the company has fully complied with all relevant regulatory and planning requirements and strongly rejected claims that the project lacks oversight or consultation.
Related: Benburb firm moves to allay residents’ concerns following £9m biomass investment announcement
The project bares striking similarities to a proposal put forward in December 2025 by AIC Group… an engineering firm based less than five miles from the O&S Doors factory.
However, amid the news of O&S Doors’ project proposals, which were welcomed by Sinn Féin in a wave of positive publicity, many were left asking questions as to why there was no opposition, given the harsh scrutiny AIC Group’s proposals were met with in the preceding weeks.
In looking at O&S Doors’ application, submitted to Mid Ulster Council in August 2025, their proposed CHP (Combined Heat & Power) building would also comprise a new 1141sqm warehousing unit to house the specialised plant and an additional 2642sqm warehousing unit added to left rear of site.
Access to the site would come from the Syerla Road, with parking areas located to the main entrance of the site and an additional four HGV parking spaces added beside the CHP plant location.
Additional car parking with the inclusion of EV charging bays are to be included in an additional planning application.
If approved, the CHP plant would be equipped with a 22m high thin chimney stack which could be seen from the surrounding area, but the statement adds: ” …due to the size of the stack it wouldn’t be deemed as an eye sore.”
Related: Armagh engineering firm respond to public concerns surrounding plant development
They say additional planting and landscaping will also be added to hide the plant from the view of the neighbouring properties.
In terms of traffic, the statement explains that there is expected to be an increase in HGV movement with the addition of the plant and new warehousing unit.
However, the company moves to allay concerns in this respect by continuing, “…added HGV parking at the plant and proposed dock leveller added to building no. 24a should decrease the congestion around the site.”
When speaking to Armagh I earlier this month Mr O’Brien emphasised his company’s “ambitious sustainability objectives” as a rationale for the project.
The design and access statement reinforces this objective, stating: “The proposal will have significant environmental benefits.
“It will be a 1.3Mwe CHP that will burn MDF dust that is produced on the site during the manufacturing process.
“The site produces 11,000 tonnes of MDF dust per year. It will provide 1.0Mwe net power to the site. In addition there will be general space heating for the site and process heating for the manufacturing process.
“This will displace 80% of O&S Doors electricity requirements, providing the business with 6.5kWH per year. It will provide an estimated 1,500 tonnes of carbon saving.”
The company boast the scheme to be “one of the first of its kind in Ireland combining a biomass, thermal oil and Organic Rankine Cycle (ORO) generator” which will “burn the dust using a dust burner requiring no support fuel for its ongoing operation that will heat the thermal oil which is passed through an ORC generator to generate electricity.”
How does O&S Doors’ facility compare to AIC Group’s?
O&S Doors say they will feed “MDF sawdust produced on site and will not accept waste from external sources”, whereas, AIC Group intend to feed from several waste sources from both the non-hazardous and hazardous categories including wastes such as “flammable liquids, solvents, oils, rags, corrosives, oxidizers and paints PPE, veterinary or medical dressings as well as treated woods or timbers with the availability to safely destroy controlled contraband when applicable”.
AIC Group facility’s “final clean treated flue gas” that exits to the atmosphere would consist of “Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) which are the same elements that are present within emissions from a standard vehicle on a daily basis.
“Elements that are harmful to the environment such as Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Hydrogen Chloride (HCL) are removed along with particulate matter and dust by the dry ceramic filtrations system.”
Artist impression of AIC Group’s proposal
O&S Doors’ facility will make use of a “bag filter” to control emissions and a 25-meter chimney to “ensure that emissions are physically above the levels of the surrounding properties”.
They say: “O&S Doors clean and uncontaminated fuel supports the control of emissions from this CHP plant”, but add, “It is of value to note the CHP is being built to operate under a part C permit; however, easy adaption is included to allow the CHP to align to more stringent emissions regulations”.
AIC Group’s plant would arguably be more efficient for its size, allowing for “the generation of 1400 to 1600 KW of electrical energy per hour” while in operation along with “an additional 6,000 – 7,000 KW per hour of heat energy”.
O&S Doors say their plant would generate 6.5kWH to the business per annum. It’s exact per hour energy generation TBC.
Both argue their projects would see a reduction in their businesses’ carbon footprints.
Public Reaction, Opposition and Support
Since submission of their plans in August 2025, O&S Doors have held several public consultations, as required through the planning process.
The Mid Ulster Council Planning Portal indicates that there have been no formal representations made from the public.
The project is being co-funded by the Shared Island Sustainability Scheme, with a £2.4 million grant.
First Minister, Michelle O’Neill visited the Benburb factory on January 28, where a total £9 million investment was formally announced.
Pictured in attendance with Ms O’Neill was MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Colm Gildernew.
However, Mr Gildernew appeared to stand in opposition to AIC Group’s facility and attended both a public consultation held by the company in December 2025 and a meeting arranged by a community group RAIN – Residents Against Incinerators, in January 2026.
At the RAIN meeting Mr Gildernew said: “This community is entitled to a voice. People are entitled to bring forward planning proposals but, by the same extent, people here are entitled to their say and I think the extent of representation here tonight is really important… and that needs to be maintained.
“I think it’s vital to understand that this effects much more than just the Milltown, Tullymore, Tullysaran areas. This will effect – depending on prevailing winds and water – this whole section of Tyrone and Armagh. I think it’s crucial that people do bear that in mind.
“I would encourage people to support the Facebook site that the guys here are floating that is going to be set up because they are right about this, this will take a strong and concerted effort and a united community effort. There’s no question about that.”
Of the points addressed over the course of the evening, the MLA said he believed they had all been “very well made”, they were “exceptionally valid” and that his “final call” would be for the community to “maintain their focus” and to put their names forward for any committee that will be established in the coming days.
After being contacted for comment on O&S Doors’ proposals, Mr Gildernew said: “Sinn Féin supports greener and renewable energy.
“I attended the recent announcement by O&S Doors in my constituency.
“All projects must, of course, fully comply with strict planning, environmental and other regulatory requirements and also be subject to ongoing and effective environmental monitoring and controls.”
“They must also address the needs and concerns of local communities.
“I have also engaged with AIC Group and attended their recent public meeting in Armagh. I have agreed to attend a further meeting with them in relation to their proposal”.
A spokesperson for RAIN said: “RAIn campaign are opposed to incineration in our local rural environment due to the potential health risks (including, but not limited to air and water quality, noise, odour, vermin and traffic related impacts) as well as the risks posed to livestock, crops and our natural and historical heritage. We also have concerns about the impact on property value and the wider rural economy.
“Considering that incinerators demand a constant feedstock, in essence they incentivise waste generation and therefore conflict with Government policy on waste elimination, recycling and the circular economy. Incineration is not a low carbon solution and as such undermines Government net zero ambitions.
“RAIn was established in opposition to the proposal by AIC Group to develop a waste incinerator at 113 Milltown Road Benburb. Whilst we are aware of the proposal by OS Doors, we are not as yet across the finer detail, but are conscious that there are similarities. We would encourage those with concerns to reach out to us at raincampaign@outlook.com.”
