Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE

7 Rutherford Place, Withersfield

Dear Andrew, I wish to object to the proposed development of an anaerobic digester at Spring Grove Farm, Haverhill. In principle, I object to this proposal on the grounds that the site proposed for this significant industrial, not agricultural, development is wholly inappropriate for many reasons. Without question, this development is not only one of the biggest proposed in the UK, but it is far closer to a high-density population than any other. As a local resident of the Arboretum Estate, we will have to endure an increase in light and noise pollution. The site is not time constrained; it's a 24/7 process so it will be operational at night requiring floodlighting outside of daylight hours causing light pollution. It will also mean gas tanker movements with reversing sirens, will continue later when sound travels further, affecting a larger area and therefore greater population of local residents. This plant has the potential to discharge hazardous chemical, especially methane, and even hydrogen sulphide. In a worse-case scenario, biogas in combination with air, can form an explosive gas mixture which, in a confined space near an ignition source, can result in explosion risking serious injuries or death. Acorn Bioenergy have never before built or maintained and anaerobic digester and their experience limited to say the least. It is undeniable that this type of facility generates unpleasant smells. Acorn, the company wanting to develop the site in cooperation with the landowner, The Thurlow Estate, claim bad smells will be 'mitigated' and 'limited'. Anaerobic digester plants do and will create bad smells that will travel in the prevailing westerly wind towards Haverhill. The bad odours generated from rotting vegetation and poultry waste will, by their very nature attract vermin and flies. Flies especially are attracted to this type of organic waste, but, unlike vermin, are also likely to travel away from the source. There is a high probability of infestations from both species within a 1km radius. There are approximately 1000 homes within a 1km radius of the site; there are more than 6000 homes within a 2km radius. Local residents are exposed to real health and safety risks. Without doubt, and regardless of what the developers care to claim, evidence exists that there will be bad odours, vermin, chemical release, an increased risk to road users travelling on the A1307 caused by slow moving HGV traffic (including those travelling to and from schools outside of Haverhill), and the risk of flooding and discharge into the Stour Brook and flood park area. This application is far from helping to reduce climate change, Acorn have said that other farm vehicles will be travelling from a greater than 10Km radius in order to contribute animal byproducts to this site, adding more farm traffic to the existing roads. Once the biomethane is produced HGV's will transfer it to Milton Keynes creating more traffic and fuel consumption. Although Acorn and the Thurlow estate claim that this proposed site will not take food waste, it's been a great concern considering that a recent report in the news from Defra stated that the Government plan to put all household waste into AD plants whilst stopping road side food collections currently in operation in some counties. Therefore, there is potentially a strong chance that planning applications would change and food waste await collection. What also has to be taken into consideration is that this application had already been put forward to West Suffolk County Council and was rejected due to the fact it was not classed as an agricultural development but that of an industrial one hence Suffolk County Council are now having to deal with the application. None of the residents of Haverhill, Withersfield and the surrounding areas will actually be benefitting or gaining anything that Acorn and Thurlow estate do with this site. Thurlow estate will be providing the plant with 70-80% of the feedstock, biomethane will be going to Milton Keynes and to the national grid to heat 7,000 homes or fuel 270 HGV's. Only the farmer and Acorn set to gain from this application. To say that the AD plant will be bringing in jobs for the local residents is rather an exaggeration when only 4 to 5 will be created with more being lost at the Epicentre as a result of this site. The site during the evenings will be run by an automated computer system which is overseen by someone remotely at distance, there will be no person on the site which in itself raises safety concerns. What would happen in the event of a natural disaster? What protocols will be in place if there is a fire or power cut within the plant? How quickly would somebody be able to get to the site to sort any issues/ emergencies out? Whilst at Withersfield Village Hall during Acorns exhibition, they said that in 1895 biogas was used as renewable energy, it was evident that they used to light streetlamps with biogas. If biogas was such a good renewable energy source, then why did all the biogas lamps get removed and replaced by electric? surely if we wanted to help climate change all those years ago, keeping biogas would have made a dramatic change. The question is why were they changed back in 1895? One other question that I would like you to look into is the closing date for this planning application being 26th October 2023, however, Acorn have planned their 2nd Face to face, drop-in meeting at Withersfield Village Hall on the 1st November 2023 14.30-18.45. How can Acorn have a meeting after the deadline date? How many working people/families are able to attend those hours? How can Acorn present and answer questions when people can't change their objections after the deadline date? It seems very strange that Acorn have had over a year since their first drop-in meeting to prepare and answer residential concerns but have failed in spectacular fashion. By:Keith House of Boughtwood