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 which I use daily to go to work and have done over the last nearly 30 years will cause absolute mayhem. The already congested, dangerous route to Cambridge with a "risk to life" which is highlighted along the route does not need any further accident black spots. HGVs or agricultural vehicle movements along the A1307 and wider local road network will increase significantly as a result of the proposed development. HGVs and tractor/trailers will need to join a 60 mph road which as mentioned is already known to be a high-risk accident route. To also use the Epicentre roundabout as a turning point is both dangerous and will ultimately further lead to congestion. This is supposed to be the "Gate Way" to Haverhill not a turning circle. This does not make any sense and at the very least will result in traffic issues and highly likely to cause more accidents. We are trying to attract new businesses to Haverhill and this includes at the Epicentre. To hear already that we may lose businesses should this project go ahead feels so wrong and completely opposed what is in the local plan and Haverhill Vision. There are other ways of creating cleaner less dangerous renewable energy and this should be taken into account. The location needs to be the right location without having a huge impact on residents, wildlife, streams, rivers, the reservoir and the accessibility should be considered. The planned development is within a designated green belt and is good valuable agricultural land and of a good grade. 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 concrete surfaces across the proposed development will cause a huge amount of rainwater run-off compared to the existing land which naturally absorbs back 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 odour it gives off will take away people's pleasure of an important public amenity and popular fishing area (the only local walkable one). Light pollution has been mentioned in the report, but it hasn't included the gas flare plan which will burn off excess gas. This will give off substantial amounts of light and will be located at a great height. The burning of biogas or biomethane produces damaging toxins into the air which are highly likely to affect nearby residents and businesses and it is unknown of the long term health impact of this - not enough studies have taken place. This is also a 24/7 proposed plant which means noise, light pollution, reversing sirens of agricultural and HGV lorries will be going off at all times of the day and night. This will impact the close residential properties, the Shuttle and the newly built Taylor Wimpy homes. With regard to carbon footprint. How can changing the current land use from agriculture to erecting an AD plant, increased traffic pollution and transporting the biogas across the country be a positive impact on the environment? It can only have a negative impact . Has research taken place to calculate the carbon emissions for the building of the plant, the operation, transportation to and from and emissions linked to a change of use or reverting it back? A development of this scale will surely not meet government net carbon zero targets in terms of CO emissions. Digestate storage releases ammonia which can severely impact air quality and severely affect people breathing quality especially those with who already may have difficulties and again no long term studies have been taken undertaking to evaluate the impact. It will attract flies and vermin and they roam from the source increasing and therefore spoiling the quality of Haverhill and Withersfield residents. I'd like to understand what positive biodiversity gain will this have for nearby residents and Haverhill town when farmland is being destroyed with impact to the local wildlife, streams and rivers - I don't see anything for the local community. We will have all seen on 2 October the issues in Oxford, the risk of explosion and fire to a plant of this kind and with its proximity to existing residential and commercial development, this causes a real issues and wider risks. This plant was further away from residents to this proposed plant. This highlights a more suitable location needs to be found. The result of the explosion caused major disruption, the closing of roads, residents having to close windows and stay inside their homes, all emergency services had to attend, the risk of contamination to the land and watercourse and impact on travel and business continuity. 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. Trees will not obscure the size of these tanks and for at least 6 months of the year leaves leave the trees therefore it will spoil the landscape completely. 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. The Local Plan does state the importance of people's "health and wellbeing". Given the odours which will be released from the plant and the transportation of waste material, this is not in line with the local plan or statement and will impact people from enjoying their homes, gardens and outside space due to the offensive odour. (Many including myself have personally smelt the overpowering smells produced from existing AD plants locally) The proposed development will have a huge impact to local residents and the town itself with no benefit to the local community. There will only be a negative impact on local businesses and customers using their services and facilities - for example the Flying Shuttle, Epi Centre, Children's Nursery, Sainsbury's, B&Q, Halfords together with nearby residents and new homes. It won't attract further retailers in the future. Along with my family we often drink/eat at the Flying Shuttle and in the summer sit outside. Whether inside or outside this will spoil this and we are unlikely to continue to do this. This will then have an impact on local businesses.

Application number
Name
Address	3 Barsey Close Haverhill Suffolk
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 which I use daily to go to work and have done over the last nearly 30 years will cause absolute mayhem. The already congested, dangerous route to Cambridge with a "risk to life" which is highlighted along the route does not need any further accident black spots. HGVs or agricultural vehicle movements along the A1307 and wider local road network will increase significantly as a result of the proposed development. HGVs and tractor/trailers will need to join a 60 mph road which as mentioned is already known to be a high-risk accident route. To also use the Epicentre roundabout as a turning point is both dangerous and will ultimately further lead to congestion. This is supposed to be the "Gate Way" to Haverhill not a turning circle. This does not make any sense and at the very least will result in traffic issues and highly likely to cause more accidents. We are trying to attract new businesses to Haverhill and this includes at the Epicentre. To hear already that we may lose businesses should this project go ahead feels so wrong and completely opposed what is in the local plan and Haverhill Vision. There are other ways of creating cleaner less dangerous renewable energy and this should be taken into account. The location needs to be the right location without having a huge impact on residents, wildlife, streams, rivers, the reservoir and the accessibility should be considered. The planned development is within a designated green belt and is good valuable agricultural land and of a good grade. 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 concrete surfaces across the proposed development will cause a huge amount of rainwater run-off compared to the existing land which naturally absorbs back 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 odour it gives off will take away people's pleasure of an important public amenity and popular fishing area (the only local walkable one). Light pollution has been mentioned in the report, but it hasn't included the gas flare plan which will burn off excess gas. This will give off substantial amounts of light and will be located at a great height. The burning of biogas or biomethane produces damaging toxins into the air which are highly likely to affect nearby residents and businesses and it is unknown of the long term health impact of this - not enough studies have taken place. This is also a 24/7 proposed plant which means noise, light pollution, reversing sirens of agricultural and HGV lorries will be going off at all times of the day and night. This will impact the close residential properties, the Shuttle and the newly built Taylor Wimpy homes. With regard to carbon footprint. How can changing the current land use from agriculture to erecting an AD plant, increased traffic pollution and transporting the biogas across the country be a positive impact on the environment? It can only have a negative impact . Has research taken place to calculate the carbon emissions for the building of the plant, the operation, transportation to and from and emissions linked to a change of use or reverting it back? A development of this scale will surely not meet government net carbon zero targets in terms of CO emissions. Digestate storage releases ammonia which can severely impact air quality and severely affect people breathing quality especially those with who already may have difficulties and again no long term studies have been taken undertaking to evaluate the impact. It will attract flies and vermin and they roam from the source increasing and therefore spoiling the quality of Haverhill and Withersfield residents. I'd like to understand what positive biodiversity gain will this have for nearby residents and Haverhill town when farmland is being destroyed with impact to the local wildlife, streams and rivers - I don't see anything for the local community. We will have all seen on 2 October the issues in Oxford, the risk of explosion and fire to a plant of this kind and with its proximity to existing residential and commercial development, this causes a real issues and wider risks. This plant was further away from residents to this proposed plant. This highlights a more suitable location needs to be found. The result of the explosion caused major disruption, the closing of roads, residents having to close windows and stay inside their homes, all emergency services had to attend, the risk of contamination to the land and watercourse and impact on travel and business continuity. 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. Trees will not obscure the size of these tanks and for at least 6 months of the year leaves leave the trees therefore it will spoil the landscape completely. 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. The Local Plan does state the importance of people's "health and wellbeing". Given the odours which will be released from the plant and the transportation of waste material, this is not in line with the local plan or statement and will impact people from enjoying their homes, gardens and outside space due to the offensive odour. (Many including myself have personally smelt the overpowering smells produced from existing AD plants locally) The proposed development will have a huge impact to local residents and the town itself with no benefit to the local community. There will only be a negative impact on local businesses and customers using their services and facilities - for example the Flying Shuttle, Epi Centre, Children's Nursery, Sainsbury's, B&Q, Halfords together with nearby residents and new homes. It won't attract further retailers in the future. Along with my family we often drink/eat at the Flying Shuttle and in the summer sit outside. Whether inside or outside this will spoil this and we are unlikely to continue to do this. This will then have an impact on local businesses.
Received
Attachments

Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE