The edge of Haverhill is not an appropriate site for an anaerobic digestion plant, says Withersfield Parish Council

A parish council has called on the parties behind a contentious proposal for an anaerobic digestion plant to 'seek an alternative and more appropriate site'.

Acorn Bioenergy wants to construct the plant at Spring Grove Farm, which is owned by the Thurlow Estate and is located by the A1307, close to Haverhill and within the parish boundary of Withersfield.

It would be used to convert farming waste, including maize, rye and grass sileage and poultry litter into a biogas that would be refined into biomethane that is fed into the national grid and used for heating and transport.

Some six months after the proposal first came to light, Withersfield Parish Council has issued a statement to make its position clear.

The statement said: “In the light of the public presentation of a proposal to develop a biodigestor plant on a site in Withersfield, and the continued delay by the developer to submit a planning application, the Parish Council wishes to clarify its position.

“Having sought further information about the proposal from both the landowner and the developer and carefully reviewed the status of the proposed site, the Parish Council resolves that:

1. It fully supports the statutory Local Plan for West Suffolk which designates Spring Grove Farm as agricultural land outside of all approved development areas. We also note that the draft local plan continues to exclude this site from development of any form.

2. It fully supports the principle that restricts developments in areas prone to flooding.

3. It fully supports the ambitions within the West Suffolk Environment Strategy which designates the Stour Brook as a green corridor.

“Whilst it will give appropriate consideration to any planning application properly submitted at the appropriate time we consider that a development of the scale and nature of that publicly presented by Acorn does not conform in any way with the statutory planning framework.

“We call upon Acorn and the landowners - The Thurlow Estate - to reconsider this proposal and if they wish to pursue it, that they seek an alternative and more appropriate site.”

An action group called Muck Off Acorn has also been formed to oppose the proposal.