Bressingham digester plan approved by South Norfolk Council

Plans for a renewable energy facility in Bressingham which could power up to 1,000 homes has been given the green light by South Norfolk Council.

A new application to build an anaerobic digester (AD) system and associated infrastructure at Deal Farm, in Kenninghall Road, had been submitted by local farmer Des Aves, of RG Aves and Partners in March.

Officers at the authority had recommended approval of the plans.

Mr Aves previously obtained planning approval at the site, which is currently a farmyard and part of an agricultural field, back in July 2013, but this permission will allow him to construct a larger plant.

The system would use a combination of pig manure, chicken litter and maize silage, grown as energy crops. Once collected, the material is placed in agricultural storage clamps for eight weeks to turn it into feedstock, which can be fed into the digester to be converted into bio-gas. This is subsequently injected into the National Grid network.

Bressingham and Fersfield Parish Council had objected to the proposals, citing “serious concerns about the suitability of local roads” around the site, as well as on grounds the environment and safety.

Shelfanger Parish Council had also recommended the plans to be turned down, claiming there would be no benefit to the local community, as well concern over possible leakage.

In planning documents from agents representing Mr Aves to South Norfolk Council, it was claimed: “Ultimately, the consequence of not approving this development is that it will make the countryside less, not more sustainable...the proposal is entirely central to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

“As energy prices gradually rise and the country’s indigenous supplies reduce over time, this proposal to develop the farming business to generate green energy is considered to be essential to the needs of the agricultural business.

“This proposal represents a security of green energy supply. Anaerobic digestion is a substantial renewable energy resource to be exploited.”

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