Hundreds object to green power plant

Nearly 800 people have signed petitions against an energy from waste plant fuelled by tens of thousands of tonnes of animal slurry, as decision day approaches on the multi-million pound plans.

Four parish councils have also objected to the large anaerobic digestion plant, which Bradford-based Gascorp Delta Ltd wants to build off Foston Lane, Beeford, under one km from the village and 1.25km from North Frodingham.

East Riding Council planners are recommending councillors to give the go-ahead for the plant, which would handle 82,000 tonnes of waste, including 46,000 tonnes of solid and liquid fish waste, which villagers have been told could come from as far away as Leeds and Bradford.

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The plant will inject bio-methane into the National Grid, as well as producing a fertiliser by-product.

However locals have a range of concerns including the use of a rural single-track lane, Foston Lane, for access, a long with a “totally unsuitable” local road network. They are also worried about pollution risk, odour and visual impact.

North Frodingham parish council’s objection states that at an open meeting the operator claimed there “will be no smell, except when the doors are open” - a situation they say will occur every time an HGV discharges its load.

In a report to Thursday’s planning committee meeting, at County Hall, Beverley, the parish council added: “Sheeted HGV vehicles loaded with rotting organic waste will certainly smell, and those carrying liquid waste will also undoubtedly leak putrid material, when they are brought to a standstill by farm vehicles, caravans or combine harvesters.”

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It is also claimed that “many large HGVs using narrow single track lanes and village roads is a recipe for disaster.”

Locals - including East Yorkshire MP Sir Greg Knight who has also sent in an objection - say the plant should be considered an industrial/commercial waste management plant, which will be a “negative and unsightly blight” and should be in a brownfield location.

Beeford Parish Council said the effect on older properties was “frightening to imagine”: “In Beeford, Frodingham and Wansford there are already cottages with cracks in their walls as a result of HGV traffic passing close to their doors; how much damage will be caused if this additional traffic becomes a constant factor almost every day of the year?”

However the council’s highway department say they are satisfied that subject to conditions being adhered to, the scheme will not “raise any significant road safety implications”.

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Planners claim the location “will minimise potential negative impacts” and noise and odour will be controlled by permits, monitored and enforced by the Environment Agency. Recommending approval, subject to the local drainage board withdrawing its objection, they say the scheme will help meet green energy targets.

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