In October 2023, opponents of the Lezay methanizer project won a round following strong mobilization: the prefecture announced that a “new location, outside the Natura 2000 zone and more than 200 m from homes” had been found by the project leader, Deux-Sèvres Biogaz 4, a subsidiary of the Poitevin company Technique Biogaz.
A year later, in November 2024, the situation is confusing to say the least. The new project, at a place called “les Brousses”, to the west of the town, is making progress on the administrative level. But the building permit for the first, at Petite-Rivière, to the east of the town, has not been abandoned. Its validity was also confirmed by the administrative court of Poitiers.
“There will not be two methanizers in Lezay”
“There are actually two building permits”indicates Mayor Olivier Gayet, who recognizes a “abnormal situation”even if “of course there will not be two methanization units built in the municipality”.
The municipality was against the installation of the methanizer on the first site, like many residents united within the Lezay Natura 2000 association. On the other hand, it is not opposed to the second permit: “We worked with the prefecture to find this second location, with a view to removing the firstrecalls Olivier Gayet. But the Deux-Sèvres Biogaz company wanted to be sure that there would be no appeal against the second project before withdrawing the first. »
Pollution risks
An agreement to which the Lezay Natura 2000 association does not adhere, considering that the new site also poses problems. In addition to the change in agricultural practices induced by methanization, to the detriment of local biodiversity, its president Florent Blanchard warns of the risk of pollution posed by the spreading of digestate, in a sector where “Numerous rivers abound the Sèvre Niortaise and the Clain. »
The association also contests the under-declaration (30 tonnes of input per day) by Technique Biogaz of the real capacities (90T) of its methanizers: “Once the installation is completed, the operator will quickly obtain authorization to increase the quantity, without the obligation to carry out an environmental impact study. »
“We have always been transparent”
Arguments contested by Technique Biogaz. The company based near Poitiers confirms its objective of increasing production in a second phase, “we have always been transparent on this point”more “not in the desire to bypass the impact study stage” which, she specifies, only concerns installations receiving more than 100 tonnes of materials each day.
On the issue of spreading, Technique Biogaz affirms “comply with the regulations and specifications on distances from waterways and homes, we are in strict compliance with the regulations”.
In any case, “there will not be two methanizers in Lezay”confirms its spokesperson: “It wouldn’t make sense. We deplore the appeal on this second project, which was decided in co-construction with elected officials. We have not actually confirmed the abandonment of the first project, but we hope to arrive at the second. »
Appeal and appeal
The future of the two projects is now in the hands of administrative justice: the association has appealed the authorization of the first project. His appeal on the second project was examined by the administrative court of Poitiers in October, the decision is expected in mid-December.
