Plans for a new biogas plant in Canwick have provoked an angry response from fearful local residents, with even the Environment Agency and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue weighing in to say that the development should not be approved in its current form.
Applicants Arc Energy submitted the plans for the plant to be based on agricultural land approximately 300 metres south of Heighington Road.
If approved, plans for the anaerobic digestion plant would include:
New road access
Weighbridge shed
Pre-treatment tank and a clamp store
2 feed hoppers and 2 digestive tanks
Plant room & CHP unit
Gas flare
Pasteurisation unit
Separator & Lagoon
Gas upgrading unit & propane tank
Grid entry unit (GEU) & ancillary equipment
The plans have seen dozens of objections lodged from residents living in the villages of Canwick, Heighington and Washingborough, with a public meeting held on Monday, February 5.
Graham Crawford, who lives in Washingborough, raised concerns about the risks posed from the plant to nearby villages, the increase in slow-moving traffic, and noise during the night.
He told The Lincolnite: “We are really concerned about the intention to build an anaerobic digestion plant within 800 metres of a highly rated Ofsted nursery school, existing housing and a new approved housing development which includes homes for senior citizens.”
Jean Straw, who lives in Canwick, echoed these sentiments. She said: “To site such an environmentally unfriendly operation on the boundaries of Canwick would be subjecting the village residents to untold unnecessary danger, stress and possible smell.”
Conservative county councillor for Washingborough Lindsey Cawrey has said the council’s Planning and Regulation Committee should investigate and fully debate the possible impact of traffic, noise and smell generated by the application.
Risks of pollution must be managed
The Environment Agency has put on record its objections to the proposed development.
Keri Monger, planning advisor at the agency, said: “We object to this application as submitted because the applicant has not supplied adequate information to demonstrate that the risks of pollution posed to water quality can be safely managed.”
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue has also called for a fire pump to be installed within 90 metres of the entrance.
Agents Kingsmead Design, speaking on behalf of applicants ACR Energy, said: “The proposed development seeks to diversify the agricultural business and contribute towards sustainable farming practices by harnessing renewable energy from agricultural and food wastes.
“The proposal will deliver sustainable development in accordance with national planning policy, meeting national and local objectives to achieve a sustainable future through the ability to create renewable energy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The plans have been submitted to Lincolnshire County Council, with a period of consultation set to end on Wednesday, February 7.
Previously, a 550kw on-farm anaerobic digestion plant was proposed for this site in November 2015. However, the application was withdrawn by developers in November 2016.
What is anaerobic digestion?
Anaerobic digestion is the process of breaking down organic matter such as animal or food waste to produce biogas and biofertiliser.
This happens in the absence of oxygen in a sealed, oxygen-free tank called an anaerobic digester.
In doing so, this reduces the volume of sewage or waste and makes it suitable for re-use as a renewable fuel.
A number of similar sites already exist across Lincolnshire.
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Works to replace worn out carriageway on A17 Washway Road, as well as sections of other nearby local roads, will start in late July.
The start date for the project is Monday 25 July, with the scheme expected to last for up to six weeks (subject to weather).
As part of the works, overnight closures will be in place in the following areas from 6pm to 6am, weekday evenings only:
A17 Washway Road (between a point 160 metres north Middle Marsh Road junction and a point 260 metres south of the B1357 Common Road junction)
Middle Marsh Road (at A17 junction)*
Red Cow Drove (at A17 junction)*
B1357 Common Road (between A17 junction & a point 60 metres south)
*Please note that Middle Marsh Road and Red Cow Drive will not be closed at the same time.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “This section of the A17 near Moulton is nearing the end of its serviceable life, so we’ve taken the decision to rebuild the worst areas.
“This will involve removing the current carriageway and replacing it with 6,000 tonnes of tarmac and stone.
“This six-week scheme will no doubt cause some disruption, but we’ll be working to minimise the impact by only carrying the works out overnight and maintaining access for residents and the emergency services throughout the project.”
Works to replace worn out carriageway on the A151 Dozens Bank in West Pinchbeck will start in late July.
The start date for the project is Monday 25 July, with the scheme expected to last for up to three weeks (subject to weather).
As part of the project, a full 24/7 closure of Dozens Bank will be in place from Crown Hall Farm to Lake Ross Caravan Park.
The diversion route for the closure will be via A151 to Bourne / A15 to Market Deeping roundabout / A1175 to A1175-A16 Applegreen roundabout / A16 to A16-A151 roundabout / A151 to West Pinchbeck, and vice versa. A local diversion will also be in place for Clay Drove.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “Although we had to postpone this important project last year, I’m really glad to say works to improve Dozens Bank are now planned to start next month.
“This will involve removing the current carriageway and replacing it with 1,600 tonnes of tarmac and stone.
“When finished, these improvements will make travelling the A151 much safer and more comfortable for all road users.”
The county council carried out temporary repairs to Dozens Bank in October 2022 to resume two-way movement and it easier for people to get around.
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