We need your help!

• Anaerobic Digestion “ is a controlled natural breakdown of organic materials into methane, carbon dioxide gas and fertiliser. A.D produces bio-gas a methane-rich gas which can be used as a fuel”

Feed stock is continually fed into the digester, The process takes place inside a large sealed tank which is void of oxygen, air supply is restricted to stimulate decomposition, as opposed to composting which requires air. After a number of days, which is dependant on the configuration and internal temperature of the digester, a methane-rich biogas is produced, with a residual co-product of digestate which can be directly spread on the land as fertiliser.” this can be in either a solid or liquid state. 

Large rectangular, cylindrical or egg-shaped tanks. Although no dimensions have been given it was suggested by the Operations Managing Director, Darren Stockley, that the tanks could be 14m in height, which equates to 46ft, in comparison a 2-storey house measures a maximum height of 25ft, with a 3 storey measuring 31ft. 

Material which feeds the process of anaerobic digestion and will utilise a mix of maize, rye, wheat straw, draff and grain ( the residue husks of grain used in brewing which is usually used as cattle feed). This will be combined with farm slurries (manure which can include cattle, pig and chicken manure), and selected animal by-product wastes.”

It should be noted that animal by-products from abattoirs can also be included in the category of “animal by-products” 

It will be sited directly in the field behind the two current lagoons/reservoirs covering just over 11 acres, which runs alongside public footpath G95. This is the size approx of 7 football pitches. 

None 

“The proposed development will process approx 59,597 tonnes per annum of agricultural feedstock and produce bio-gas generating 750kw of electricity for use on the existing site through an on-site Combined Heat and Power plant.

It should be noted that some companies will try and offer a sweetener of up to £40,000 to affected communities, this however is held by such companies and given out at their discretion and is not binding. 

The company running the A.D. facility and the farmer/landowner.

Odour issues - comments taken from an on-site visit to a similar facility state” tons of maize sitting in the main feedstock hopper was horrendous” Comments from various sites around the country also state “odour from such plants was not contained and was so overwhelming that the local residents could not sit outside on sunny days and had to keep all windows closed”

Noise pollution - “continual noise made even worse when carried by prevailing wind” This is a 24/7 365-day operation.

Traffic - greatly increases with access from Lawn Lane into Nottingham Lane, both ways. Increase in both tractor and trailer/and associated tankers and HGV supply vehicles and tankers. This could actually equate to an increase of up to 25 daily movements as a minimum and is likely to increase.

Visual impact – The company that prepared the “Environmental Impact Assessment” specified 2 but it is more than likely to be 4, large domes of up to 14.5 meters in height sitting in open countryside.

Community Impact – 

The running of a pressurised gas pipeline through the village to the Old Dalby business park.

More traffic using large vehicles, potential for more accidents along small country lanes not designed for such vehicles.

Noise and light pollution 24/7 365-day operation. 

Odour issues not only from the facility itself but also from liquid digestate being spread. ( this was apparent when similar digestate was spread a few weeks ago, the smell was evident for over 2 weeks.)

Water contamination – possible overspills from digestate reservoirs, leakages, small brook is less than 5m away.   

Property value decreasing – although not a planning consideration, this has to be a consideration given the above potential issues.

This is down to your personal beliefs and “Green” criteria, but consider

The Carbon footprint that the whole proposition will create;-

•  Propane gas will need to be added to the methane as the biogas quality is not good enough.
•  11 acres of solid concrete which the facility will sit on.
• Movement and source of materials required for the build, and the carbon footprint of all individual materials used for the construction.
• Daily movement of vehicles supplying feedstock to the facility.
• Movement of vehicles to transport, and to spread digestate to farmland not always within immediate vicinity.
• Growing of maize as a feedstock, due to the nature in which it is grown it can be considered to be one of the most un-environmentally friendly crops. It has to be sown in quite wide strips (space) which in turn leads to soil erosion and  runoff.  Pesticides have to be used.. Crop is usually harvested later in the season when it is predominantly wet ( unless earlier cropping varieties are used) thus leading to compaction of the soil.

These are just a few “green “ issues to consider out of a very long list.  It's up to you to decide what is important to you. “Greenwashing” is a term that we have come across time and time again. The lease on these facilities lasts approximately 20 years and they require a considerable amount of maintenance during that time. One important question to consider is "What happens to these facilities at the end of the lease and the world has investigated and invested in newer and “greener” ways of tackling “Global warming” ????