Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE

Fleming Way Withersfield

I object to this application for the following reasons: 1. Location - the selected location for this proposed largest facility in the country, is in far too close proximity to residents. Also, it is currently agricultural land. 2. Environment - the construction of the plant will have a negative impact on current wildlife at this location. 3. Flood risk - this area is known to flood. This is especially concerning with the risk of polluting of local waterways. 4. Smell - there will be an unpleasant smell which will have a negative impact on those whole live nearby on the Arboretum estate and in the villages of Withersfield and Horseheath and the town of Haverhill. There are also 2 pubs nearby, a nursery, and multiple businesses at the EpiCentre, all of which will result in less custom due to smell. 5. Noise - there will be excess noise which will again have a negative impact on neighbouring residents and businesses. 6. Scale - the huge scale of the plant means it will be seen from quite some distance causing a negative visual impact to those in the local area. 7. Traffic impact - there will be a large increase in HGV movements on the roads around and leading to the plant, including the A1307 and Withersfield. The village roads are certainly not able to withstand the increase in traffic and large vehicles and the A1307 is already an incredibly busy and dangerous road used, not only, by commuters. 8. Safety concern - there are records of other anaerobic digestor plants having serious incidents including lightning strikes, explosions, fires. Implementing something which endangers hundreds of lives would be irresponsible and reckless. The plant is too close to homes and busy roads in constant use. Many lives would be at risk. There is also concern for particulates in the air, again being so close to neighbouring houses. 9. Credentials - there is evidence of misleading information given by the applicant. There are many mistakes in the applicant's application. It does not give confidence to their abilities. There are far more reasons to reject this application than to approve. Hundreds of people will be negatively affected if this were to go ahead and would have a detrimental effect on quality of life.