August 2, 2018 10.23 am This story is over 67 months old

10k tonnes increase at biomass site despite objections

Residents are not happy with the extra traffic
Aerial picture of the biomass facility in Hibaldstow.

More than 10,000 extra tonnes worth of plants and crops will be transported onto a renewable energy site in North Lincolnshire despite objections from residents and local councils.

The biomass plant at Hibaldstow Airfield turns crop and plant material into renewable energy, which is then put back into the national grid as gas or taken off site as fertiliser.

Now, applicant Merlin Renewables Ltd will have an increased amount coming onto its site from 35,000 a year to a maximum of 48,000 tonnes.

It comes after councillors on North Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee approved the plans.

But Hibaldstow Parish Council and Redbourne Parish Council objected to the proposals saying that the increase in traffic caused by the increase would have an adverse impact on the area.

In a letter to North Lincolnshire Council, Redbourne Parish Council said that local residents would be affected.

It said: “The application envisages a significant increase in the number of vehicle movements which will directly impact on village residents whose properties adjoin or are adjacent to the main Redbourne Road.

“In addition the additional vehicle movements will substantially increase the daily traffic flow passing through the village.”

Fiona Stevenson, who lives in Redbourne, said that traffic caused by the site already has an impact on the village.

She said: “The application does not reflect the true impact to the village.

“Noise during peak periods of movement is intolerable particularly to the almshouses on either side of the main street and is causing damage to the buildings which are grade 2 listed.

“The tractors being used are very noisy. Could something not be done to improve the mode of transportation to use less noisy and polluting vehicles?”

But the applicant said that they would continue to hold meetings with the community in order to hear concerns.

It was also agreed that a travel plan would be made by Merlin Renewables to reduce any disruption caused by the traffic going into the site.