Key Messages
- Deal Farm Biogas has taken the decision to withdraw the current Section 73(a) application (2021/2788) and submit a new planning application in order to respond to the objections raised by Highways and the Lead Local Flood Authority.
- Deal Farm Biogas is pleased to confirm that the new application seeks to reduce the level of feedstock that will be processed at the plant from the current proposed level of 46,750 tonnes, to 23,950 to reflect that approved under the 2015 planning permission.
- Following an extensive qualitative analysis undertaken of the Section 73(a) consultation responses, it is understood that the local community and other statutory consultees would like to see a reduction in the feedstock levels processed at the plant.
- We hope that the amended application will help to alleviate some of the local concerns relating to traffic and feedstock volumes for the proposed AD plant.
- The analysis undertaken included more than 400 comments received up to and including the date of 31 March. The full details of the analysis, including details on how this was undertaken, are detailed in the analysis report.
- The decision to submit a new application seeking to reduce the feedstock amount has been carefully considered, as Deal Farm Biogas firmly supports the need to produce as much sustainable biogas as possible as a means to reach Net Zero in line with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) ambition to triple the amount of biomethane in the grid between 2018 and 2030, and enable sustainable energy practices across the UK.
- Deal Farm Biogas also remains committed to supporting the agricultural sector to diversify and futureproof operations, and passionately believes that the delivery of the Deal Farm Biogas AD plant unlocks these benefits for the South Norfolk farming community. This is a local product sourced from local farms, which helps to internalise vehicle movements.
- As part of the new application to reduce the feedstock level, Deal Farm Biogas will be submitting a range of updated documents to reflect the change. This will include new: Design and Access Statement, Transport Statement, Air Quality Assessment, Odour Assessment and Noise Statement among others.
- Deal Farm Biogas acknowledges that transport is a key concern for the community. Further information on the transport movements generated by the AD Plant can be viewed in the Transport Statement which has been submitted as part of the new Planning Application.
- As a further result of the amendment, Deal Farm Biogas will also be reducing the number of proposed digestate lagoons from three to two in the new planning application, to reflect the reduced need for digestate storage. The decision to remove the lagoon closest to Bressingham village should help to alleviate concerns raised by a number of residents. The removed lagoon was also near a public right of way, which was a cause of concern for some respondents.
- Deal Farm Biogas hope that the withdrawal of the 2021/2788 application, and submission of the new application – which seeks to reduce feedstock levels and reduce the number of digestate lagoons – will go some way to alleviate some of the concerns raised by the local community.
- As residents and the planning authority consider the amendment and the new documents, Deal Farm Biogas is continuing to engagement with the local community and would encourage anyone with feedback or questions to be in touch with the project team via info@dealfarmbiogas.co.uk or 0800 368 7312.
Previous messages that are still valid:
- This project will be Storengy’s first biogas to grid facility – which means that the gas produced goes directly into the local gas network.
- This is a flagship project for Storengy. It is being built out by experienced developer, BioWatt.
- The biogas plant was granted planning permission in 2015 by South Norfolk District Council, but several changes to the layout are needed to ensure its long-term sustainability and viability.
- This is an important project for the local area, as it provides disposal opportunities for agricultural waste from local farms as well as providing a source of renewable gas.
- The anaerobic digestion plant (AD) will take in livestock manure, straw, and grass, which are all by-products of local farms.
- The plant intends to process manures produced by the landowner’s own pig and poultry units, as well as manures produced locally, and crops grown within 5km of the site. This will significantly benefit local farmers, by minimising their costs in terms of agricultural waste disposal and will enhance sustainability by minimising the need for agricultural waste to be transported out of the local area.
- Anaerobic digestion happens when bacteria breaks down agricultural waste in a sealed ‘vessel’ and as a result produces biogas.
- There is no burning of waste involved in the anaerobic digestion process.
- The alterations to the scheme, outlined in the S73(a) application make changes to the layout and placement of the plant on the site, to secure the long-term sustainability and viability of the plant.
- Biogas is an established sector in the UK, with 650 AD plants already up and running, 75% of which are agricultural. The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) aims to triple the amount of biomethane in the grid between 2018 and 2030 in line with the UK’s net zero by 2050 goal.
- The construction of this plant will offer new jobs for local people and therefore provide an economic boost to the area.
- The by-product of the anaerobic digestion process is digestate, which can be given back to local farmers to be used as fertilizer.
- Overall, the plant has been designed to contribute to energy generation from renewable sources, and therefore support the transition to a low carbon future to address the challenges of climate change. The delivery of the plant is in line with South Norfolk Council’s Environment Strategy which seeks to work with businesses to support energy generation as part of its five year vision.
