Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE

Merrimack House MELBOURNE BRIDGE WIthersfield Suffolk CB97RR

Re Planning Application SCC/0045/23SE Spring Grove Farm CB9 7SW I am writing to express my very strong opposition to the proposed biodigester at the above location. 1. Location The site is very close to the recently created science park , to residential areas and to the Sainsburys superstore. Having a large, noisy and smelly site so close is bound to put people off moving to the area and cause companies to relocate away. The conservation area of Withersfield and the historic woods and local green areas and wildlife will be severely impacted upon by the proposed development in this location. The proposed location is also inconsistent with the Haverhill Vision 2031 and the St Edmundsbury Environmental Strategy, which designates this area as part of the Green Corridor, bordering the Stour Brook. The motivation for locating to the proposed site would appear to be for the convenience of the land owners, without proper consideration of its impact on the community or any attempt to identify a more appropriate site. 2. Safety! There have been explosions at biodigester sites in other locations in the country, arising when the methane tanks have been struck by lightning. In one such case, near Oxford the site was well away from local towns and while it caused an enormous explosion, nobody was killed or injured. In our case, the proposed 16 meter high methane tanks will be very close to a heavily used road, to the Epicentre site and to newly built housing developments. It might be tempting to think that lighting strikes are highly unlikely, but there have been two on one street in Haverhill within the last year, and the tall tanks will present a very tempting target in the event of thunderstorms. Acorn I believe have claimed that such an eventuality would be unlikely due to their expertise in running such ventures, but in fact they appear to have no such expertise. In the event of an explosion so close to residential and industrial premises, the impact would be very severe and its likelihood should be seriously considered. 3. Flooding The proposed site is on a flood plain and we get significant flooding not only around there, but also downstream from Haverhill, with impacts in Sturmer, Baythorne End, Clare and Cavendish. Covering 11 hectares of farmland with concrete will obviously lead to increased rain water run off, impacting the Stour Brook and worsening the regular flood events that we see. Not only that, but when the site floods (as it will), there will be contamination of the water with organic waste, exacerbating the likelihood of blue-green algae in the fishing lake and in the brook itself. In the past year, we have had four significant flooding events in this area, directly impacting the proposed site as well as downstream and climate change will make this more frequent and more severe in the future. The claimed benefits of the biodigester do not merit the very strong probability of severe environmental impacts. 4. Traffic Haverhill has grown rapidly over recent years with many new housing developments, placing a strain on the main A1307 road through to Cambridge and beyond. This road is notorious for its high accident rates and recently there have been several serious collisions between Horseheath and the Withersfield turning, close to the proposed entrance to the biodigester site. Even with the most optimistic projections for site-related HGV journeys, there will be a significant increase in congestion as the lorries leave and go round the Spirit of Enterprise roundabout and an enhanced risk of road traffic accidents. The traffic risk is compounded by the fact that lorries will in many cases be transporting agricultural products such as silage, which will at times spill on the road and create dangerous conditions. The plan for Haverhill is to create a high tech environment, with the EpiCentre being central to this. With impaired access due to increased congestion, this will be compromised and firms will think twice before locating in the vicinity. This will be a heavy price to pay for a large facility which will employ very few local people and will bring no convincing benefit to the town. Aside from the impact on the main road, there is a proposal to provide access for heavy vehicles from Silver Street, close to the village pub - a very narrow and poorly maintained road, which is utterly unsuited to such traffic. 5. Noise, Light and Odours The very large site with its long hours of operation will inevitably create a lot of noise and light pollution, making its location so close to residential areas, Sainsburys superstore and the important Epicentre site very unwise and unwelcome. Given the nature of the feedstock for the site, including silage and agricultural waste, it is obvious that it will create strong smells, which with the prevailing southwesterly winds will strongly impace Haverhill, the local Arboretum estate and the heritage village of Withersfield. In conclusion, there are many reasons to oppose this application for the sake of the local community, transport links and the environment and I strongly urge you to consider rejecting it.