Shropshire farm energy plant ready to power up

The power plant in Bagley, could be up and running from November 17, giving Whitchurch residents a preview of what could be in store for them should a similar plant be built in their town.

The plant was put forward by the Kennerley family, a local pig farming family hoping to move into renewable energy as a diversification for the business.

The process involves the digestion, or rotting, of pig manure and farm waste in an oxygen-free environment to produce biogas which can then be used to generate electricity.

Planners said that any electricity created would be fed into the National Grid.

After planning permission was granted by Shropshire Council in August last year, plans have since been submitted on how odour and pests could be controlled.

Planners have said that the odour management plan will be a "live document, which will be constantly updated and reviewed". It said that daily and regular checks will be implemented and recorded to eliminate problems.

Pig manure that will be used in the process will be stored in a purpose-built building 200 metres from the nearest houses, and feedstock and storage areas would be secure to reduce the "attractiveness of the site to pests and vermin".

Planners have also said that noise assessments will be carried out as soon as the plant becomes fully operational.

There are also plans to plant trees around the site to shield the unit from view.

A planning statement from Berry's, at the time of the application, said: "The family view diversification into renewable energy as the right direction for the business to now take, to improve the diversity of existing operations, to reduce its carbon footprint, to create an alternative income stream and to ensure the longevity of the farming business.

"The introduction of a unit at The Oaks farm integrates particularly well with the existing business providing both financial and environmental benefits."

But the plant will also give residents of Whitchurch a glimpse of what life could be like should plans for a similar plant be granted by Shropshire Council for a site on Ash Road.

The plans, submitted by Grocontinental for a site opposite their base on Whitchurch Business Park, have sparked opposition from local people who fear the plant could cause bad odours to drift across the town, as well as potential environmental dangers.

A petition with more than 1,000 names has been submitted to the council, and the proposal has been recommended for refusal by Whitchurch Town Council. The application is available to view on the Shropshire Council website.