Grocontinental biogas plant at Whitchurch looks set to be backed

Officers have recommended fresh plans for the plant at Broughall Fields Farm, should be approved.

The plant, which was originally granted planning permission in 2014 and is currently being built, will generate power for storage and distribution giant Grocontinental.

Under the amended plans, there will be a 65 per cent increase in feedstock used to power the plant, which will generate a peak of 2.55MW of electricity per hour.

The original scheme came under fire from residents because of fears of the impact on the environment and traffic.

The fresh plans, put forward by Whitchurch Biogas Ltd, also sparked concerns from people living nearby.

Councillors and residents say the site is being built without proper planning permission and Shropshire Council has received 19 objections. Some of the concerns also include increased traffic, damage to the environment, noise and the proximityately to people's homes.

Shropshire Council case officer Graham French said: "The current proposals would more than double the level of renewable electricity and heat energy produced by the facility for an increase in feedstock of 44 per cent.

"Much of the additional feedstock would be in the form of whey permeate imported in larger loads from nearby Belton Cheese.

"The proposals would nearly match the amount of electricity used by Grocontinental, securing a reliable source of affordable renewable energy for the company and freeing up grid capacity for other local users.

"The individual issues raised by the proposals have been assessed. No environmental issues have been identified which would suggest any material conflict with relevant development plan policies."

"The proposals include enhanced landscaping measures which would represent a significant benefit relative to the currently approved scheme.

"The increase in traffic would equate to be less than 1.6 extra loads per day and is not considered sufficient to warrant a highways refusal in this location on the major road network.

"It is regrettable that construction operations departed from the originally approved scheme before the current application was determined although an application to regularize this situation has been lodged with the council throughout this period and the applicant's discussions with the Environment Agency had resulted in significant delay to the determination of this application.

"The officer considers that the amended design has significant benefits relative to the approved scheme, including in terms of landscaping and renewable energy."

The plans will be discussed at a meeting of Shropshire Council's north planning committee in Shirehall on Tuesday at 2pm.