Bressingham Deal Farm biogas project brings more twists as appeal launched

The worst fears of campaigners were realised this week when it was confirmed that a decision to throw out plans for a biogas plant in Bressingham are to be contested.

The appeal – submitted by Storengy UK in relation to an ongoing saga to develop an anaerobic digester at Deal Farm – comes after South Norfolk Council refused planning permission for the scheme in December.

The Planning Inspectorate will consider the appeal , which comes just weeks after a fresh application – criticised for doing little to alleviate safety fears relating to HGVs using the narrow country lanes close to the plant – was submitted last month.

It has prompted dozens of objections from people living close to Deal Farm, as well as from MPs Richard Bacon and Liz Truss.

It is the latest twist in a planning tug of war that has already seen an order made to demolish the partially constructed plant, and Storengy seek to resurrect a scheme that did gain planning permission in 2015.

The request was refused, blocking the developer from implementing a scaled-back version of the plans.

On Sunday, Green Party peer Natalie Bennett visited south Norfolk on Sunday with former Green MEP Catherine Rowett and Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay.

The trio knocked on doors to hear objections to the plans, which would see organic matter, such as animal or food waste, broken down to produce biogas and biofertiliser.

Speaking afterwards, Baroness Bennett said: “The Green Party has no problem with the principle of energy from anaerobic digestion. But we do not believe a biodigester that is fed by purposely-grown farm produce is green.

“Biodigesters ought to be a wonderful way to use up organic waste, not consume fresh farm produce that could be used as food for people.”

Mrs Rowett also made her views on the Deal Farm project clear when she said: “This is a hugely important issue in the campaign.

“I’ve spoken to many on the doorstep about this and it’s clear that residents feel their reasonable objections are being ignored.

“I believe that industrial-scale plants dependent on regular supply by HGVs should not be sited where single-track roads are the only route.

“There needs to be enforcement with teeth, so that nobody gets away with building what wasn’t in the plans or operating in a different way from what was approved.”