Comments Form

I am strongly objecting to this planning application for the following reasons ; Smell It is well documented that biogas plants emit a disgusting smell . I have travelled along the A505 near Baldock and have experienced this myself . I understand that Acorn have said there will be no smell . Tons of decomposing organic matter is always going to emit a smell. I have also seen that the findings of the independent report that was produced by Michael Bull & Associates LTD confirms there is ' a risk of significant adverse odour impacts at the Epicentre' This plant will be on the west side of Haverhill and the prevailing wind will carry the smell across the town . There is housing , the Epicentre , a local pub , nursery , supermarket and wildlife area next to the site. All of these areas will be adversely affected by the smell. Increased traffic on the A1307 The delivery of the organic and poultry waste to the site and the removal of the gas will cause an increased amount of traffic in the A1307 which is already a deemed ' high casualty ' road . The addition of multiple HGV , agricultural vehicles and tankers will add to the congestion . 70% of the organic waste needed will be coming in by road with only 30% being provided locally by Thurlow Estate. Noise pollution There will be an increased amount of traffic entering and leaving the site , movement of the waste from the 'clamps' to the cylinders. As stated in the application , the plant will be working 24 hours during some periods. This will be disruptive to local residents, those trying to enjoy a meal outside The Flying Shuttle and using Meldham Washlands and the surrounding public footpaths. I regularly visit this area as I live very close by . Flood risk The entrance and some areas of the proposed site is on a Flood Risk Category 3 zone . This area regularly floods even though it is currently in a natural state and water is currently able to soak away. Putting an industrial plant on this will cause an increased risk of flooding . The Stour Brook runs passed the site and this will put additional pressure on meldham Washlands which was constructed as a flood defence to protect Haverhill and Sturmer . Due to global warming , unfortunately , the risk off flooding over the coming years is going to increase further. Pollution Risk There is a risk of pollution being leaked in to the Stour Brook which will then flow through the town. Leaks of this type have happened with a biogas plant in Cambridge recently being fined for a leak. Explosion Risk There was an explosion in Oxford at the start of this month following one of the biogas tanks being hit by lightening . This proposed plant is very close to the Epicentre and is very close to residential areas of the Arboretum and Hanchett End. There is the public house and a nursery. An explosion so close by would be catastrophic. Visual Impact The site Is next to the gateway into Haverhill . It will be 16.5 m high and next to the road. Although Acorn are claiming they will grow trees and paint it in 'camouflage ' this plant is going to be very imposing and ugly. A real blot of the landscape especially in winter when the trees lose their leaves. Town reputation / economy This is a rural location that is currently a designated for agricultural use not industrial . This is right by the 'gateway' into Haverhill. We have worked hard a community over the last couple of decades to change the perception of Haverhill . This site is within a few hundred metres from the Epicentre which is bringing in new businesses and jobs into Haverhill , along with the associated economic advantages of those workers spending in the local community. I have seen that CodiKoat Ltd , a company that are currently housed in the Epicentre, have logged their concerns around retaining and attracting staff if this plant goes ahead and that if they look for new premises it will not be in the local area. The 5 new jobs that this bioplant will bring will easily be wiped out as companies start exiting the Epicentre, people stop visiting the Flying Shuttle and Sainsburys . Local Plans This proposed plan goes against the Haverhill Vision 2031 which looks to Improve the gateway into Haverhill and provide and 'green corridor'. I fully support the need for renewable energy but there are better , more remote locations for a Acorn to build this plant. For all of the reasons I have stated above , this planning application should be rejected.

Application number
Name
Address	12 Chivers Road , Haverhill Suffolk CB9 9DS
Type of Comment
Comments	I am strongly objecting to this planning application for the following reasons ; Smell It is well documented that biogas plants emit a disgusting smell . I have travelled along the A505 near Baldock and have experienced this myself . I understand that Acorn have said there will be no smell . Tons of decomposing organic matter is always going to emit a smell. I have also seen that the findings of the independent report that was produced by Michael Bull & Associates LTD confirms there is ' a risk of significant adverse odour impacts at the Epicentre' This plant will be on the west side of Haverhill and the prevailing wind will carry the smell across the town . There is housing , the Epicentre , a local pub , nursery , supermarket and wildlife area next to the site. All of these areas will be adversely affected by the smell. Increased traffic on the A1307 The delivery of the organic and poultry waste to the site and the removal of the gas will cause an increased amount of traffic in the A1307 which is already a deemed ' high casualty ' road . The addition of multiple HGV , agricultural vehicles and tankers will add to the congestion . 70% of the organic waste needed will be coming in by road with only 30% being provided locally by Thurlow Estate. Noise pollution There will be an increased amount of traffic entering and leaving the site , movement of the waste from the 'clamps' to the cylinders. As stated in the application , the plant will be working 24 hours during some periods. This will be disruptive to local residents, those trying to enjoy a meal outside The Flying Shuttle and using Meldham Washlands and the surrounding public footpaths. I regularly visit this area as I live very close by . Flood risk The entrance and some areas of the proposed site is on a Flood Risk Category 3 zone . This area regularly floods even though it is currently in a natural state and water is currently able to soak away. Putting an industrial plant on this will cause an increased risk of flooding . The Stour Brook runs passed the site and this will put additional pressure on meldham Washlands which was constructed as a flood defence to protect Haverhill and Sturmer . Due to global warming , unfortunately , the risk off flooding over the coming years is going to increase further. Pollution Risk There is a risk of pollution being leaked in to the Stour Brook which will then flow through the town. Leaks of this type have happened with a biogas plant in Cambridge recently being fined for a leak. Explosion Risk There was an explosion in Oxford at the start of this month following one of the biogas tanks being hit by lightening . This proposed plant is very close to the Epicentre and is very close to residential areas of the Arboretum and Hanchett End. There is the public house and a nursery. An explosion so close by would be catastrophic. Visual Impact The site Is next to the gateway into Haverhill . It will be 16.5 m high and next to the road. Although Acorn are claiming they will grow trees and paint it in 'camouflage ' this plant is going to be very imposing and ugly. A real blot of the landscape especially in winter when the trees lose their leaves. Town reputation / economy This is a rural location that is currently a designated for agricultural use not industrial . This is right by the 'gateway' into Haverhill. We have worked hard a community over the last couple of decades to change the perception of Haverhill . This site is within a few hundred metres from the Epicentre which is bringing in new businesses and jobs into Haverhill , along with the associated economic advantages of those workers spending in the local community. I have seen that CodiKoat Ltd , a company that are currently housed in the Epicentre, have logged their concerns around retaining and attracting staff if this plant goes ahead and that if they look for new premises it will not be in the local area. The 5 new jobs that this bioplant will bring will easily be wiped out as companies start exiting the Epicentre, people stop visiting the Flying Shuttle and Sainsburys . Local Plans This proposed plan goes against the Haverhill Vision 2031 which looks to Improve the gateway into Haverhill and provide and 'green corridor'. I fully support the need for renewable energy but there are better , more remote locations for a Acorn to build this plant. For all of the reasons I have stated above , this planning application should be rejected.
Received
Attachments

Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE