Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE

Merrimack House MELBOURNE BRIDGE Withersfield Suffolk CB9 7RR

I'm writing to express my objections to the above planning proposal. I will summarise my objections in no particular order but as follows: 1. Location The proposed site is extremely close (around 650 metres) to both residential and business developments including the Research Park on the west side of Haverhill. Far closer than most other facilities of this sort which are usually sited further away from residential areas. The recently built Epicentre building located on the Research Park is being used by businesses which are already indicating that they will move away if this proposal is approved. The conservation area of Withersfield and the historic woods and local green areas and wildlife will be severely impacted upon by the proposed development in this location. The proposed location is also inconsistent with the Haverhill Vision 2031 and the St Edmundsbury Environmental Strategy, which designates this area as part of the Green Corridor, bordering the Stour Brook. From the submitted documents I am also unclear as to what other potential locations have been considered from other landowners in and around Suffolk that have better potential for access onto major roads and are further away from residential housing. 2. Flooding The current proposed location is on identified flood risk land level 2 and in part Level 3. The plan to concrete around 11 hectares of the proposed site will create addition runoff water at times of heavy rain. Over the last few years flooding in and around this location has increased and within the last 12 months significant flooding has happened on at least 4 separate occasions. The proposed location boarders the Stour Brook which will be the major recipient of the runoff water. At times of heavy rain this already overflows its banks spilling over and flooding the A1307 just near the proposed major access to the site. A road that is the major route into and out of Haverhill on the West side. The impact of flooding from the Stour Brook is also felt in Withersfield and impacts on the designated level 3 flood area of Meldham Wash/West Town Park which is there to protect Haverhill from flooding. At times of significant rain fall and therefore runoff from the proposed site, what processes will be put in place to ensure that the Stour Book does not become contaminated from the materials stored and used on that are kept outside? Will significant thought been given to ensure that converting 11 hectares of current agricultural land (which in itself absorbs rainwater) to industrial use and covered with concrete will not lead to unacceptable levels of flooding for local residents should this application be approved. 3. Traffic The proposal highlights that the main route to be used from the proposed site will be onto the A1307 with vehicles turning left (eastwards) when leaving the site access and making the short journey to the Spirit of Enterprise roundabout. This is not a large roundabout to receive a significant volume of HGV's to negotiate a full circle to head back west without causing congestion at peak times The proposal states that there will be certain times of year when there will be higher number of vehicles using the site access. Assuming the standard working day hours as stated in the application this at peak time would indicate that a vehicle would be entering or leaving the site access at around every 3.24 minutes. The proposal does state that at peak times the standard hours working hours may be increased but the impact of that doesn't appear to be quantified. Can the A1307 continue to flow if this number of additional vehicles are entering and leaving the proposed site access particularly if coinciding with the rush hour traffic in the morning and evening. The proposal also talks about other potential entrances onto the site via existing farm tracks. These are accessed from designated minor roads that are small in width and already during peak harvest times, large vehicle congestion is experienced. Particularly in and around the village of Withersfield. I accept that Withersfield historically is a farming community and surrounded by agricultural land and therefore you can expect farm traffic particularly at harvest time but that is on a very different scale to the potential of an Industrial sized Bio Digester plant routing lorries, tractors, and trailers through the existing narrow village roads. 4. Noise, Light and Odours The proposal states that this will be a site which is operational Monday through Saturday and for some parts of their operation will be 24/7. Given the close proximity to residential housing the noise associated with industrial machinery loading and unloading vehicles could potentially have a negative impact on residents' health and well-being. This could be further affected by night light in an area which is currently only affected by natures light. Further, potential unpleasant odours coming from the site carried on the prevailing wind across to residential areas would be of major concern. It is clear from other Bio Digester plants in the UK that this type of processing facility does have unpleasant odours associated with it. The current proposal fails to suggest any innovative way that Acorn plan to use to combat the negative odours to make this unique compared to other Bio Digester Plants. If unpleasant odours are prolonged and severe this will materially affect local business opportunities/investment as well as further impacting on local residents' health and wellbeing. In conclusion there are significant reasons why this location is wrong for this type of industrial investment, and I would ask that significant consideration is given to my points above and that this application is rejected.