Councillors are being recommended to approve plans for an anaerobic digestor plant near Spalding.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Planning and Regulation Committee will decide on the application on land close to the A16 east of Surfleet Bank and west of Woad Farm at a meeting on Monday May 11.
It’s one of two applications made by Naylor Farms which would turn waste food from retailers and some forms of packaging into electricity and natural fertiliser.
County council planning officer are recommending the 3.3 hectare site with 40 car parking spaces be passed.
That’s despite opposition including from Surfleet Parish Council and seven members of the public many concerned about the environmental impact.
But the report to councillors states: “Residual air quality and odour effects arising from the proposed
development are predicted to be not significant when assessed against relevant guidance.
On the loss of farmland, the report continues: “Loss of agricultural land and reduced openness, were identified; however, these would not alter the wider landscape character.”
It continues: “While the land is not previously developed, it is functionally connected to existing agricultural uses, as feedstock would be sourced from surrounding farmland.”
Concerns had also been raised on the impact of traffic on the A16, though the county council’s own Highways department is not objecting to the proposal.
South Holland District Council has also raised no objections.
The report recommending councillors pass the application states: “The proposed anaerobic digestor facility is located within the open countryside; however, its rural setting is justified by the need to be close to source waste materials, and it cannot reasonably be accommodated within existing employment areas or buildings.
“The development would not conflict with surrounding agricultural land uses, would not result in significant harm to the character or the appearance of the area, and the design is responsive to its rural context.
“Transport assessments confirm that there would be no significant adverse impact on the local highway network, and the proposal would not prejudice the delivery or viability of local employment sites.”
Naylor Farms say the plant would work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and lead to the creation of ‘up to 52 jobs’.
It’s also requested permission to build a similar facility between the A16 and Rangell Gate in Spalding.
