Comments Form

I am writing to object to the recent planning application submitted by Acorn Bioenergy for the proposed development at Spring Grove Farm and set out below are my reasons - An increase in any traffic on the 1307 will cause further congestion on a dangerous route to Cambridge which is highlighted as already being a high accident road where several people have lost their lives. For HGVs or agricultural vehicle to join a 60 mph road is madness. To also use the Epi Centre roundabout as a turning point will cause further delays, congestion and potential accidents. Saying it will not smell when it is a known fact when you drive past other AD plants and in particular the one near Baldock and how much it does smell. There is no way of monitoring this which proves it is the wrong location. Baldock is set well away from houses/residents/businesses/wildlife parks - surely the Thurlow Estate has other suitable land which can be utilised away from significant areas? As someone who enjoys walking in the country side around the reservoir the smell will be detrimental to my enjoyment of the countryside and the proposed development is in a known floor area as witnessed today (20.10.23) I frequently enjoy a visit to the Flying Shuttle both inside and outside - having an AD plant for a view and the smell will put me off frequenting this having a detrimental impact on local business There are other ways of creating cleaner less dangerous renewable energy sources and this should be taken into account. The location needs to be the right location without having a huge impact on residents, wildlife reserves, streams, rivers and the accessibility should be considered. The planned development is within a designated green belt. I can't imagine why therefore that the planning authority would grant an industrial development of this size and type when the area has been recognised as green belt and should be protected for residences to enjoy and for their well-being. I regularly walk around Meldham Washlands/Reservoir which is a beautiful spot for dog walkers/walkers. The odour one of these plants will produce will completely spoil this spot which Haverhill town is lacking. The proposed development sits within a known area which floods. Flooding in this area would be compromised by the plant and lead to likely contamination of the local stream and would damage any wildlife locally and ultimate end up in the river Stour. The proposed "surface water drainage solution" for the site is to discharge the water into the Stour Brook. The water levels will increase and have an impact during heavy rainfall (for example today 20.10.23) and lead to more flooding, damage and contamination. The amount of surfaces across the proposed development will cause extreme rainwater run-off compared to the existing land which provides natural filtration and absorbs into the land. The proposed development is very close to a designated Wildlife area as recognised by Suffolk Wildlife Trust (West Town Park/Reservoir) and having the plant in such close proximity and the stench generated will take away people's pleasure of an important public amenity and popular fishing area (the only local walkable one). Having seen the plans it is ridiculous to attempt to conceal the amount of infrastructure and buildings behind the existing trees and it will be visually intrusive to the landscape especially 6 months of the year when the trees fall for the Autumn. Digestate storage releases ammonia which can severely impact air quality and severely affect people breathing quality especially those with who already may have breathing problems. It was in the News recently that on 2 October in Oxford an explosion and the impact this had on residences and commercial development. This would likely cause no access to Haverhill from the 1307 causing a huge impact on me and thousands of people commuting to work and a loss of income. It is clear that this is the wrong location. The height of the tanks that are made of steel would increase the likelihood of lightning strikes. The complication of the site and storage of huge volumes of flammable materials on site would intensify such an incident. The proposed development is not detailed in the Local Plan and is not in line with the local planning authority's strategy for future development or its vision for the area. Health and well-being is and the construction of an AD plant would only have a negative impact. The proposed development will have a huge impact to local residents and the town itself with no benefit to the local community. I would like to see things that would attract further retailers/businesses to Haverhill. This will only have a negative impact on local businesses and customers for example the Flying Shuttle, Epi Centre, Children's Nursery, Sainsbury's, B&Q, Halfords together with nearby residents and new homes. I am all for renewables but there are far more carbon efficient ways to generable sustainable energy. This needs to be looked at.

Application number
Name
Address	Barsey Close Haverhill
Type of Comment
Comments	I am writing to object to the recent planning application submitted by Acorn Bioenergy for the proposed development at Spring Grove Farm and set out below are my reasons - An increase in any traffic on the 1307 will cause further congestion on a dangerous route to Cambridge which is highlighted as already being a high accident road where several people have lost their lives. For HGVs or agricultural vehicle to join a 60 mph road is madness. To also use the Epi Centre roundabout as a turning point will cause further delays, congestion and potential accidents. Saying it will not smell when it is a known fact when you drive past other AD plants and in particular the one near Baldock and how much it does smell. There is no way of monitoring this which proves it is the wrong location. Baldock is set well away from houses/residents/businesses/wildlife parks - surely the Thurlow Estate has other suitable land which can be utilised away from significant areas? As someone who enjoys walking in the country side around the reservoir the smell will be detrimental to my enjoyment of the countryside and the proposed development is in a known floor area as witnessed today (20.10.23) I frequently enjoy a visit to the Flying Shuttle both inside and outside - having an AD plant for a view and the smell will put me off frequenting this having a detrimental impact on local business There are other ways of creating cleaner less dangerous renewable energy sources and this should be taken into account. The location needs to be the right location without having a huge impact on residents, wildlife reserves, streams, rivers and the accessibility should be considered. The planned development is within a designated green belt. I can't imagine why therefore that the planning authority would grant an industrial development of this size and type when the area has been recognised as green belt and should be protected for residences to enjoy and for their well-being. I regularly walk around Meldham Washlands/Reservoir which is a beautiful spot for dog walkers/walkers. The odour one of these plants will produce will completely spoil this spot which Haverhill town is lacking. The proposed development sits within a known area which floods. Flooding in this area would be compromised by the plant and lead to likely contamination of the local stream and would damage any wildlife locally and ultimate end up in the river Stour. The proposed "surface water drainage solution" for the site is to discharge the water into the Stour Brook. The water levels will increase and have an impact during heavy rainfall (for example today 20.10.23) and lead to more flooding, damage and contamination. The amount of surfaces across the proposed development will cause extreme rainwater run-off compared to the existing land which provides natural filtration and absorbs into the land. The proposed development is very close to a designated Wildlife area as recognised by Suffolk Wildlife Trust (West Town Park/Reservoir) and having the plant in such close proximity and the stench generated will take away people's pleasure of an important public amenity and popular fishing area (the only local walkable one). Having seen the plans it is ridiculous to attempt to conceal the amount of infrastructure and buildings behind the existing trees and it will be visually intrusive to the landscape especially 6 months of the year when the trees fall for the Autumn. Digestate storage releases ammonia which can severely impact air quality and severely affect people breathing quality especially those with who already may have breathing problems. It was in the News recently that on 2 October in Oxford an explosion and the impact this had on residences and commercial development. This would likely cause no access to Haverhill from the 1307 causing a huge impact on me and thousands of people commuting to work and a loss of income. It is clear that this is the wrong location. The height of the tanks that are made of steel would increase the likelihood of lightning strikes. The complication of the site and storage of huge volumes of flammable materials on site would intensify such an incident. The proposed development is not detailed in the Local Plan and is not in line with the local planning authority's strategy for future development or its vision for the area. Health and well-being is and the construction of an AD plant would only have a negative impact. The proposed development will have a huge impact to local residents and the town itself with no benefit to the local community. I would like to see things that would attract further retailers/businesses to Haverhill. This will only have a negative impact on local businesses and customers for example the Flying Shuttle, Epi Centre, Children's Nursery, Sainsbury's, B&Q, Halfords together with nearby residents and new homes. I am all for renewables but there are far more carbon efficient ways to generable sustainable energy. This needs to be looked at.
Received
Attachments

Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE