An AD plant on Deal Farm has been an aspiration for a long time. In fact, the original permission was granted in 2013. Deal Farm and surrounding farms have been waiting 8 years for somewhere local to put their manure and crops that maximises benefits for the environment, farmers and local residents.
The below sets out the planning history of an AD Plant at Deal Farm:
2013
Deal Farm was granted planning permission for a ‘novel, subterranean, hexagonal anaerobic digestion technology’ by Norfolk County Council [C/7/2013/7006]. The original plan was for a 500KW power production plant, however the original developers had no previous experience and significantly undersized the tanks and investment was pulled. The scheme ultimately proved unrealistic in terms of engineering and operation, and no development went ahead.
2014
After the failed plans in the prior year, a second permission [2013/1887] was granted by South Norfolk Council for a revised, more conventional Anaerobic Digestion Renewable Energy Facility. The proposals sought to deliver a 500KW power output plant, which would process 12,500 tonnes of agricultural feedstock in proportions of roughly 1:2 farmyard manures to crops.
2015
A significant shift in Government policy determined that small-scale AD plants were not efficient; however, the Government was keen to encourage biomethane projects that could put gas directly into the national gas grid and support the decarbonisation of heating and vehicle fuels. As a result, Deal Farm applied for, and received permission for, a much larger project at a new site within the same farm. The new proposals consisted of 3 digestors and gas domes, silage clamps for storing crops, gas upgrading and a CHP (Combined Heat and Power engine). Notably – the application also included plans to pump the liquid digestate produced by the AD process to remote “offtake points”, enabling the digestate to be located closer to fields where it could be used by neighbouring farmers. [2015/0595].
2018
Deal Farm submitted and agreed plans with the Council to begin construction on site – however, once started, the funding for the project was withdrawn and again the project was left looking for a new investment partner. Construction stopped, but Deal Farm continued to farm as usual whilst searching for a new partner.
2021
Storengy UK Ltd purchased the development rights to the Deal Farm AD plant . Once Storengy UK came on board and assessed the site and the construction that had already been delivered, it became clear that amendments were needed to the layout of the site to ensure the long-term viability, safety and sustainability of the plant.
As a result of these necessary changes, Storengy UK submitted a Section 73 application – a minor amendment – to vary the permission and therefore allow these changes. The S73 was submitted in September 2021. After close liaison with the planning authority, this application was subsequently withdrawn and a new, more detailed Section 73(a) application was submitted on 23rd December 2021.
2022
Following an extensive review of the consultation responses received as part of the Section 73(a) application (2021/2788), Deal Farm Biogas made the decision to withdraw this application and submit a new application to respond to feedback and concerns. The new application seeks to reduce the feedstock level processed at the AD plant from 46,750 tonnes, to 23,950 to reflect that approved under the 2015 planning permission.
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 was taken to remove the lagoon closest to Bressingham village, which 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.
Where are we at now?
Deal Farm Biogas has withdrawn the Section 73(a) application and submitted a new application that seeks to reduce the feedstock volume processed at the plant and reduce the number of proposed lagoons from three to two. The reduction in feedstock volume processed at the plant will lead to a reduction in transport movements associated with the AD plant, reflecting the previously approved 2015 planning permission.
A range of updated technical documents have been submitted as part of the new application, including:
- Design and Access Statement
- Planning Statement
- Transport Statement
- Air Quality Assessment
- Odour Assessment
- Nutrient Neutrality Assessment
- Flood Risk Assessments/Drainage Strategy
- Ecological Assessments and Landscape Management Plan
- Habitat Regulations Assessment
- Archaeological Assessment
- Noise Statement
With the reduction of the proposed feedstock amount, the only changes that remain from the 2015 permission are the addition of carbon capture, a small barn-style agricultural building for manure storage, the secondary containment bund, which the digesters sit within and lagoons for safe storage of digestate – all of which will give greater environmental protections than the 2015 permission.
As residents and the planning authority consider the amendment and the new documents, Deal Farm Biogas is continuing to encourage anyone with feedback or questions to be in touch with the project team via info@dealfarmbiogas.co.uk or 0800 368 7312.
We will be keeping the local community updated throughout this process via the Deal Farm website. If you would like to get in touch with someone from our team to find out more, you can visit the Contact Us page.
