Views sought on permit application for waste facility in Warminster
The Environment Agency is seeking the views of local communities in and around Warminster after receiving an application for an environmental permit to operate an energy from waste facility.
An application for an Environmental Permit under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 was received from Malaby Biogas Limited to operate an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility with energy recovery at Bore Hill Farm. It will be called Bore Hill Farm Biodigester Facility.
Anaerobic digestion, also known as AD, is a proven way of obtaining energy from waste. When biodegradable waste, such as food or garden waste, is put into an enclosed container without oxygen, bacteria breaks down the waste, turning it into a substance known as digestate. During this process gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are produced, which are known as biogas. This biogas is collected on site and typically burned, creating a renewable source of energy such as heat or electricity. AD can reduce greenhouse gases by capturing the methane within the biogas. In addition, the digestate can be used in agriculture and spread on land as a fertiliser to improve soil condition.
The Environment Agency must decide whether to grant or refuse the application at Bore Hill Farm. If it grants the application, it must decide what conditions should be included in the permit. Any comments should be made in writing by 17 November to The Environment Agency, Permitting Support Centre, Environment Permit Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WF.
Julian Wardlaw, Environment Management Team Leader, said: 'The Environment Agency is keen to involve the local community on this application for an environmental permit as much as possible. If granted, the permit will set limits on emissions and operating standards to protect the environment and the health of people living nearby.'
The details of the application can be viewed at the Environment Agency offices in Blandford or at Bristol City Council, though not, curiously, at Wiltshire Council
For more information see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/134544.aspx
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The planning application for the Biogas Plant, together with employment units, landscaping and access works at Bore Hill Farm on Deverill Road Warminster was approved by Wiltshire's Strategic Planning Committee in 2010.
The scheme was explained at the time as being for a 680kW plant using Anaerobic Digestion and combined heat and power (CHP) technology. The plant will eat food waste and farm slurry, and there will be a 'visitor centre' where people will be able to see how the latest technology can be used for the benefit of the local economy.
The output from the process will include electricity for internal use, with the surplus being fed into the national grid. The residual material will be used as agricultural compost.
Residents of Ashley Place and Ludlow Close were worried about the impact of the proposal. Their objections centred around the appearance of the site, and possible disruption caused by noise or smell, as well as potential road safety problems at the access. Sixteen letters of objection were received by the council together with 26 statements of support.
Local councillor Keith Humphries said that he'd never known an application to generate so much public interest. However he was of the opinion that it wouldn't affect the approach to Warminster, would have educational benefit, and that there was no reason to refuse it.
Local MP Andrew Murrison had previously written to the council objecting to the proposal because it would "spoil the main gateway to the town of Warminster and could lead to further development in the green field area to the north of the site."
The committee voted to approve the application by 8 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions.
As well as the biogas plant there will be 6 light industrial units.
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When the application was submitted Warminster councillor Paul Batchelor wrote to colleagues expressing his concerns on behalf of residents.
He said, "Many of the residents in Ludlow Close and Ashley Place are retired and keen gardeners. Is it fair that they should be prevented from enjoying their gardens and have to keep their windows closed on warm summer days? Wessex Water has tried for over a decade to contain the smells from the sewage treatment works, but with only limited success. There is no reason to think this would be any different.
This site is directly on one of the principle gateways to the town and currently offers a green vista encouraging people to stop over. There are no mature trees on the roadside of any consequence which could hide the impact of this development. In fact the corner of the site facing directly onto the roundabout is void of any substantial foliage other than a dead tree!
We are fortunate that a few years ago the town council agreed that the fields around the bypass between the road and existing development should never be built on. There are many sites around the county better suited for this kind of operation either adjoining the Hills waste operation or on a farm which is producing the plant's core ingredients."