Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE

7 Rutherford Place, Withersfield

Dear Andrew, As a resident of Withersfield, I strongly oppose everything in relation to the proposal of an Anaerobic Digestion Plant at Spring Grove Farm, Haverhill, especially with it being one of the of the largest sites in the country and literally on my doorstep. This is completely the wrong location for this kind of industrial building, it's 600 m from a major housing development, less than 600 m from the epicentre, 650 m from Sainsbury's superstore and it's also on the edge of Withersfield conservation village. I have attended all of Acorn's public meetings and events, a total of eight separate occasions and have received letters and correspondence in relation to the proposed. Acorn have failed at all eight meetings, seven of which via zoom and one in person on the first to answer adequately and consistency their true plans as to what they are proposing to develop along with Thurlow Estate. Acorn have displayed such dreadful, shocking and laughable presentations which, if as claimed, are a huge company backed by Spanish venture Capitalists, should be embarrassed by the lack of professionalism and their inability to alleviate any residential or Counsellors concerns. Their inconsistencies to date have been glaringly obvious which include, but are not limited to: - Energy supply to homes Fuelling HGV's annual savings Co2e Annual savings of cars taken off the road Hectares the site will encompass HGV gas movements per day Feedstock movements per day Digestate movements per day Annual movements The number of vehicles currently using A1307 Hours of operation Deliveries of agricultural byproducts Number of Employees Amount of Liquid digestate Amount of liquid storage According to Acorn there are currently 650 AD plants up and running yet, when asked to see evidence and scientific data to prove these claims, they were unable to confirm: - 1. The economic impact on the environment since the plants have been built, 2. Reduction of climate change already achieved, 3. Quantity of biomethane put back into the National Grid, 4. Improvement of soil fertility for greater food production, 5. Energy currently saved by biomethane, 6. Reduction in transport/ journeys to and from the AD plants. 7. Noise mitigation, 8. Odour abatement, 9. Annual savings, 10. Overall effectiveness of running any of these AD plants. 11. Health and Safety/ Risk Assessments of AD Plants on adverse effects of weather/risks/fires/explosions If Anaerobic Digestion plants are truly the sign of the future, surely there would be scientific, factual and evidential data to back these claims, yet none is presented nor available! Furthermore, there are more questions that remain unanswered which I require addressing and as you, Andrew Rutter, are working as our Planning Officer on behalf of Suffolk County Council have to review this Planning Application, you, should raise these questions with Acorn asking for a written response as all who have communicated these concerns with Acorn to date, be it verbal or written still await any correspondence or answers in return. Clarification of Acorns terminology regarding what is classed as agricultural by-product.? How is this a reduction in diesel, helping towards climate change, when the number of vehicles to and from the AD plant will increase with greater than present traffic flow? How is this a reduction of diesel, helping towards climate change, when there is going to be fuel tanks on site to fuel Acorn's vehicles? How is the manure and byproducts going to be dealt with if there is an avian bird flu outbreak? What is the protocol for animals that have been vaccinated being added to the manure? Regarding the odour, Acorn said that it was "minimal" can they quantify the terminology meant by minimal? The infestation of flies and vermin attracted to awful smells and byproducts created by the process will be hugely amplified. The land within the application Boundary is classified as a mixture of grade 2 soil, very good quality and would be lost from arable production. If the land is grade 2 and a very good quality, Why is the Thurlow estate not using it for our local food production? Acorn said that not many AD plants in the area have the connections because some farms can't grow maize, due to the heavy clay soil. So why would it be viable for Thurlow to use the land to grow maize in this location? One fact is that Thurlow estate have never grown maize as one of their crops before, so, it raises lots of questions as to why they would now? The government state that food production is the main priority for farmers, Why is there such a decrease in food crops grown in 2021, compared to 2020 where crop production has reduced significantly? Thurlow estate have 16,000 acres of open fields, Why put this huge monstrosity at the "Gateway" of Haverhill, with visual, environmental and safety implications? The roundabout "Spirit of Enterprise" was built with contributions from local businesses and should remain the visualisation upon entering Haverhill. Air quality and safety are paramount and should be at the forefront of everybody's mind. Methane is considered to be 34 times more potent and harmful than CO2 as a greenhouse gas. 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 services, it's the second product of an anaerobic digestion after methane. Hydrogen sulphide is heavier than air so will fall to the ground lying in wait for a person or rain to disturb it. The size of the plant will be 31 acres, which means this site will be 31 acres of hardstanding concrete, when it rains, where is the water supposed to go? it cannot be absorbed into the soil. The hydrogen sulphide and rain could cause residual chemical, it will become surface run-off and be released into the Stour brook and flood park. The proposed site is not designated in the local plan for industrial development as it's prone to annual flooding both natural and controlled, it's located within a flood risk category three zone. Acorn stated, "that flooding doesn't happen often, and flooding is something that happens every hundred years", but this site has flooded five times since December 2022. Spring Grove farm is part of the green infrastructure network that will be maintained, protected and enhanced within the Haverhill vision for 2031. It actually is to conserve and enhance the Meldham Washland green space, which is the area that Acorn wish to build on. The Vision 2031 looks at connecting multifunctional green infrastructure routes and corridors in the town, to existing and future green spaces, also to make Urban River corridor improvements to the Stour brook Valley Green corridor and promote access to an appreciation of local history and heritage assets, within the landscape as part of a multi-functional approach. In the centre of the application there is a "key town landmark" this could potentially be the Roman Road, which recently has been found in Wixoe, evidenced that part of the Roman Road not only was found on the Arboretum site during building, but also found running through Haverhill. We need to also think about the catastrophic affect this Planning Application will have on all wildlife that currently resides within the woodland area and hedgerows at Spring Grove Farm. If their habitats are destroyed and taken away it will leave many species potentially at risk. It is our duty to ensure that all wildlife thrives within any environment to ensure the reproduction of the species to prevent extinction. There will be a huge visual impact despite Acorn saying that the five storage tanks 16.5 m in height will be camouflaged by the trees on three sides. The fourth side still needs to be camouflaged but it will take a long time for the trees to actually grow up 16.5 m, there are trees that are already 90 years old that aren't even reaching that height and the suggestion of using camouflage paint to coat the five storage tanks is once again laughable, 16.5 m is not something you can "hide" easily and painting is really not adequate enough to "blend" huge storage containers into the natural landscape! As you can see there is much to be discussed and clarity required on so many outstanding concerns, which requires serious consideration given the impact on the local community and environment. May I remind you of The Seven Principles of Public Office whilst you act objectively and independently, on behalf of everyone within the immediate and surrounding community of this Planning Application. By:Paula House of Boughtwood