Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE

Whitehall, Thurlow Road, Withersfield, Cb9 7SA

I reside in Withersfield and strongly object to the planned anaerobic digestion facility at Spring Grove Farm, Withersfield for the following reasons: 1) Smell- Acorn dismiss this as insignificant, however the smell generated from other sites already operating is significant, far reaching and foul. This is reported by residents living close by to these sites already in operation. We have a substantial number of residential homes and business premises within 1 mile (and much closer) to the proposed facility. The smell is going to have a devastating and detrimental impact on thousands of residents including myself. 2) Traffic. The increased traffic will increase air pollution and poses a safety concern to local residents due to significant increase in lorry and tractor traffic servicing the site. Acorn state average daily HGV tractor trips to and from site would be 25 - 29 HGV/tractor trips per day, which equates to an additional 50 - 58 HGV/tractor movements and during peak harvest times this would be 74 HGV/Tractor trips per day, which equates to additional 148 HGV/Tractor movements. Some of these traffic movements will go through local villages which do not have the road infrastructure to cope with the additional movements. For example the current infrastructure and small size of the roads in Withersfield are not at all suitable for increase of large HGV and tractor vehicles which will be using the newly proposed access road next to the pub in Withersfield and the other roads in Withersfield (namely Silver Street, Skippers Lane, Hollow Hill, Turnpike Hill/Thurlow Road). In addition increased traffic will cause a danger to other road users and pedestrians in the village since there are no pavements. The particular areas of concern from a safety perspective are the Hollow Hill/Church street blind corner and Silver street where an increase in HGV traffic using the access road will increase the danger of vehicle collisions and danger to pedestrians. Withersfield is already difficult and at time dangerous to navigate by cars and pedestrians in areas, and additional HGV traffic will only add to the danger, it will be totally inappropriate for HGVs from the acorn facility to use this route. My house and others in the village already shake when large farm vehicles and HGVs pass, the increase in HGV traffic will ruin the peaceful surroundings and residential amenity of this conservation village. 3) Flood risk- The proposed site is located in a flood zone, As detailed on the UK government website 'Our changing climate will bring more intense summer and winter rainfall events. The latest climate science predicts winter rainfall could increase by up to 59% by the end of the century' therefore this raises the risk of flooding on this site which could pollute local watercourses. https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2022/11/23/boosting-action-on-surface-water-flood-risk/ 4) Location- Proximity to local residential areas. This is completely the wrong location for the size of the site. The proposed development will harm the amenity of the residential areas close to the site, this site should be in a rural location away from any local residences. No alternative location has been seriously considered. 5) Environmental impact- the proximity to stour brook and west town park means it is a threat to wild habitats and will destroy popular and widely used public space.