Anaerobic Digestion plant given go ahead in Nottinghamshire
Following a unanimous decision by the Bassetlaw District Council planning committee, planning permission has been granted for a 1.2MW Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant on a farm close to Retford in Nottinghamshire.
AD plant site
The plant, which will begin construction in September 2012, will be built at a derelict quarry site adjacent to the applicant’s farm. It will produce biogas which will be used to provide electricity to the farm and a neighbouring concrete plant, with surplus being sold to the Grid. Heat generated will be used for drying woodchip and grain. The woodchip will then be sold to the Drax power station for use as a renewable fuel source.
Anaerobic Digestion is a highly effective form of renewable energy which produces biogas and energy by processing livestock manures and slurries. It is often combined with energy crops in the form of silage to boost the methane output.
Tim Shuldham of Fisher German Chartered Surveyors dealt with the planning application on behalf of the farmer Fred Walter and Son Ltd. A range of criteria had to be met in order for planning permission to be granted.
Mr. Shuldham comments “Due to the previous use of the site we were able to demonstrate to the council that the AD plant would not have a detrimental impact on the surrounding area. As the site was a former quarry, the infrastructure was in place to handle large vehicles and the local community was used to the level of traffic which came in and out of the site each day.
“Renewable energy projects are favoured by planning committees and by using a professional approach to the planning process we were able to demonstrate a specific need for this type of project in the area. The planning committee was very pleased with the well prepared application submitted which helped the process go very smoothly.”
To fuel the plant it will require 5,000 tonnes of pig slurry per annum, around 30,000 tonnes of locally grown maize, and around 10,000 tonnes of other agricultural products including field vegetables, root crops and grain.
The clients, Fred Walter and Son Ltd, farm 1,500 acres around Retford, specialising in arable, sheep, grain storage, and fuel crops. They currently cultivate a large amount of willow coppice that they turn into woodchip and sell to the Drax power station for use as fuel.
For further information, please contact Tim Shuldham on 01777 860755 or email tim.shuldham@fishergerman.co.uk
About Fisher German
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