Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE

5 Park View Withersfield CB9 7RZ

I wish to object to the proposed development of an anaerobic digester at Spring Grove Farm, Haverhill. The site proposed is wholly inappropriate for many reasons, but not least that its operation will pollute the area with noise, unpleasant smells and unnecessary traffic. This plant has the potential to discharge methane! A study conducted over the last 8 years of 964 plants in the UK and Germany found that 85% of the plants were suffering from biogas leakage, described in litres per hour. A quarter of these leaks were deemed significant in terms of their leakage, 50% had minor leakages and the remainder were considered medium. When calculating the methane discharge attributed to these leaks, this means 200 plants are emitting 1,000 litres of methane per hour! Methane is considered to be 34 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas. The combined impact of mal odours and methane will significantly reduce the air quality and will have a devastating effect on the surrounding area. Biogas contains hydrogen sulphide. This is a toxic gas proven to be the cause of several deaths in the UK agricultural sector in relation to slurry tank management. Slurry is the second product of an anaerobic digester, after methane. Hydrogen sulphide is heavier than air so will fall to the ground, lying in wait for an unsuspecting person to disturb it. The cause of the bad odours is rotting vegetation and poultry waste. These materials, by their 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. Meldham Washland, often referred to as the flood park, is a flood storage reservoir situated at the confluence of Spring Grove Brook, Stour Brook and Hanchett End Brook. The Washland has been effective twice in recent history. Firstly in 1987 when it half filled with water, and more recently in 2001 when the monthly average rainfall fell in 24 hours. The reservoir came close to being full, and so protected the town of Haverhill to its East. Should this happen again, Spring Grove Farm, to the West, with no protection, will almost certainly flood. If the Acorn plant is there when that happens the risk of 'material' polluting the lake and surrounding water courses is considerable. The impact on local wildlife will be catastrophic. The flood park is an area hugely popular with the residents of Haverhill, being, as it is, one of the main green areas used for recreation. In the event of a successful application, its use will almost certainly be lost. Evidence of recent flooding of the area can be viewed on the Muck Off Acorn website and Facebook page. It has published many photos of flooding around the area of Spring Grove Farm on its web site and Facebook page; the risk of flooding should not be allowed to be easily dismissed.