Comments Form

I strongly object to the proposed development of an anaerobic digester at Spring Grove Farm, Haverhill. I object to this proposal due to the site proposed for this huge industrial, not agricultural, development is wholly inappropriate for several reasons. This development is not only one of the biggest proposed in the UK, but it is far closer to a high-density population than any other. In addition, local residents are exposed to real risks to their health and safety. It is proven and there is evidence that there will be foul odours, vermin, chemical release, an increased risk to road users travelling on the A1307 caused by slow moving and HGV traffic (including those travelling to and from schools outside of Haverhill), and the risk of flooding and discharge into the Stour Brook and flood park area. The site is situated alongside the A1307 which is considered a high-risk route, and the location of several fatalities over the years. As someone who drives on the 1307 on a daily basis to commute to work I have witnessed near misses and I believe this will only increase leading to further fatalities and serious accidents. It is 250 metres from the Spirit of Enterprise roundabout; the site will need to be serviced throughout the year by farm vehicles and HGVs transporting waste, and gas tankers collecting and removing methane from the site. During the summer, this traffic will increase. To construct this site will cause even further disruption over a long period of time and cause huge inconvenience. Once completed, the plant will operate on a 24/7 basis. There will be HGVs and farm vehicles delivering to site throughout the day. As someone who frequently enjoys a drink/meal outside the Shuttle, this will put a total stop to this and all enjoyment will be lost. I regularly take my dog for long walks along and around the reservoir up through to Withersfield enjoying the open countryside and smells. This will take this away from me, my family and my friends and what benefit will the local residents of Haverhill or Withersfield get from this - no benefit whatsoever. It is a known fact that this type of facility generates unpleasant smells and there is no proven way to mitigate these smells despite what Acorn say. By the nature of the materials used it attracts vermin and flies. Flies especially are attracted to this type of organic waste and also like to travel away from the source. It is highly likely that there will be infestations from both species within a 1km radius. There are approximately 1000 homes within a 1km radius of the site; there are more than 6000 homes within a 2km radius. This type of plant has been in the news due to it potentially discharging hazardous chemicals, especially methane, and even hydrogen sulphide. There have been several explosions at different sites and this has all been in the News. The proposed site is even closer than the recent explosions. Why would we put lives at risk for Acorn and the Thurlow estate to profit from this. Local residents will have to endure an increase in light and noise pollution. The site is not time constrained; it's a 24/7 process so it will be operational at night. It will require floodlighting outside of daylight hours, causing light pollution. The normal business of the site will be conducted during daylight and the hours of darkness, meaning its usual operations, including gas tanker movements with reversing sirens, will continue at the time of day when sound travels further, affecting even more residents than usual. As it can be seen from this - this is clearly being proposed in the wrong area. Meldham Washland, often referred to as the Reservoir, is a flood storage reservoir situated where Spring Grove Brook, Stour Brook and Hanchett End Brook all meet. The Washland has been effective twice in recent history, and the reservoir came close to being full in 2001, 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, having concreted over 31 acres of porous farmland, the risk of leakage of 'material' is very real, polluting the lake and surrounding water courses. The impact on local wildlife will be catastrophic. If anyone is in any doubt about this they should look at the many pictures published of flooding around the area of Spring Grove Farm. The risk of flooding should not be allowed to be easily dismissed.

Application number
Name
Address	16 Aragon Road Haverhill Suffolk
Type of Comment
Comments	I strongly object to the proposed development of an anaerobic digester at Spring Grove Farm, Haverhill. I object to this proposal due to the site proposed for this huge industrial, not agricultural, development is wholly inappropriate for several reasons. This development is not only one of the biggest proposed in the UK, but it is far closer to a high-density population than any other. In addition, local residents are exposed to real risks to their health and safety. It is proven and there is evidence that there will be foul odours, vermin, chemical release, an increased risk to road users travelling on the A1307 caused by slow moving and HGV traffic (including those travelling to and from schools outside of Haverhill), and the risk of flooding and discharge into the Stour Brook and flood park area. The site is situated alongside the A1307 which is considered a high-risk route, and the location of several fatalities over the years. As someone who drives on the 1307 on a daily basis to commute to work I have witnessed near misses and I believe this will only increase leading to further fatalities and serious accidents. It is 250 metres from the Spirit of Enterprise roundabout; the site will need to be serviced throughout the year by farm vehicles and HGVs transporting waste, and gas tankers collecting and removing methane from the site. During the summer, this traffic will increase. To construct this site will cause even further disruption over a long period of time and cause huge inconvenience. Once completed, the plant will operate on a 24/7 basis. There will be HGVs and farm vehicles delivering to site throughout the day. As someone who frequently enjoys a drink/meal outside the Shuttle, this will put a total stop to this and all enjoyment will be lost. I regularly take my dog for long walks along and around the reservoir up through to Withersfield enjoying the open countryside and smells. This will take this away from me, my family and my friends and what benefit will the local residents of Haverhill or Withersfield get from this - no benefit whatsoever. It is a known fact that this type of facility generates unpleasant smells and there is no proven way to mitigate these smells despite what Acorn say. By the nature of the materials used it attracts vermin and flies. Flies especially are attracted to this type of organic waste and also like to travel away from the source. It is highly likely that there will be infestations from both species within a 1km radius. There are approximately 1000 homes within a 1km radius of the site; there are more than 6000 homes within a 2km radius. This type of plant has been in the news due to it potentially discharging hazardous chemicals, especially methane, and even hydrogen sulphide. There have been several explosions at different sites and this has all been in the News. The proposed site is even closer than the recent explosions. Why would we put lives at risk for Acorn and the Thurlow estate to profit from this. Local residents will have to endure an increase in light and noise pollution. The site is not time constrained; it's a 24/7 process so it will be operational at night. It will require floodlighting outside of daylight hours, causing light pollution. The normal business of the site will be conducted during daylight and the hours of darkness, meaning its usual operations, including gas tanker movements with reversing sirens, will continue at the time of day when sound travels further, affecting even more residents than usual. As it can be seen from this - this is clearly being proposed in the wrong area. Meldham Washland, often referred to as the Reservoir, is a flood storage reservoir situated where Spring Grove Brook, Stour Brook and Hanchett End Brook all meet. The Washland has been effective twice in recent history, and the reservoir came close to being full in 2001, 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, having concreted over 31 acres of porous farmland, the risk of leakage of 'material' is very real, polluting the lake and surrounding water courses. The impact on local wildlife will be catastrophic. If anyone is in any doubt about this they should look at the many pictures published of flooding around the area of Spring Grove Farm. The risk of flooding should not be allowed to be easily dismissed.
Received
Attachments

Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE