Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE

3 Barsey Close Haverhill

I object on the strongest of grounds to the proposed development of an anaerobic digester at Spring Grove Farm, Haverhill. As a resident of Withersfield/Haverhill, myself and my family are very concerned to see that a process like an anaerobic digestion, and a development of such an industrial size could be developed so close to Haverhill. It is clear from the plans that this plant, should it go ahead, will not benefit anyone in the local area and the only benefit will be to the company Acorn and the Thurlow Estate. There is zero benefit to Haverhill/Withersfield, in fact the proposed development will have a substantial negative impact on residents, local businesses, landscape, nature. Construction on this scale will be detrimental to climate change and result in significant Carbon emissions which will indeed continue as the plant and machinery has to be replaced in the future. 1. Residents of Haverhill/Withersfield will be forced to put up with a significant increase in HGVs and farm vehicles on totally unsuitable roads. I drive up and down the A1307 on a daily basis as a member of the East of England Ambulance Service and already it is a challenge to respond to emergencies and get to work. With extra HGVs and slow moving agricultural vehicles this will only add to congestion and potential risk to life on an already highlighted road of "danger to life". 2. To add to this there will be unpleasant smells, especially in the summer months, meaning we will not be able to enjoy outdoor open spaces, even our gardens. I regularly run, cycle and go for dog walks around the Reservoir and up past the Shuttle through to Withersfield across the fields. This will totally spoil the small amount of green accessible open spaces we have to this side of the town. Not to mention the infestation of flies and vermin that will be attracted to the awful smells and by-products created by the process. 3. A risk of methane leakage (many of these types of plants record regular methane leakages) which has been highlighted in several news stories and working for the NHS we should be trying to minimise extra impact on people's health conditions and not enough research has been undertaken into this and should not be built so close to a residential area. 4. Light and noise pollution at all times of the day and night together with vibrations. 5. Risk of flooding of residual chemical, including possibly hydrogen sulphide, into the Stour Brook and Reservoir fishing park. It is a known fact that the area the proposed site is well known to flood. This includes years gone by and most recently this October 2023. With the huge amount of concrete that would be used to build this will add to the flooding and will then cause any hazardous run off from the plant to end up in the Stour Brook causing harm to wildlife, dogs and humans. 6. The destruction of local wildlife in and around the area. 7. The site proposed for this plant is designated as agricultural and not in the local plan. This development is clearly industrial. What is in the local plan is people health and well-being. Again, working for the EOE Ambulance service this is something that needs to be taken above the proposal. 8. There was an explosion highlighted in the news where residents were told to stay in their homes, close all windows. There have also been deaths at these plants when explosions have taken place. One was struck by lightning causing the explosion. Being so close to residential developments is alarming making this sight unsuitable. I believe the health and well-being, happiness of the people of Haverhill and Withersfield should be of top priority and this planning application does not support this. If approved it will be going against the long term vision of the town. Please think about the people who will gain from this application and profit from this application. It will not be any local residences - they would only suffer from it.