£115m biogas plant approved for Lincolnshire village despite resident anger

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 10:02 · Archive

A biogas plant processing up to 120,000 tonnes of chicken waste annually has been approved for Anwick near Sleaford.

Lincolnshire County Council approved final conditions for a £115m biogas plant in Anwick, near Sleaford, on 12 October. The facility, operated by Stream BioEnergy, will process up to 120,000 tonnes of chicken waste and other fuel into biogas annually. Eight digester tanks, each 25 metres tall, will be located around 200 metres from the nearest homes.

Angry residents interrupted the planning meeting to protest the decision. One man in the viewing gallery was removed after repeatedly shouting he was 'disgusted' and calling the 'size of the development unthinkable'. He challenged: 'Can you look people in the eye and tell them they won't be affected by the smell?'

Stream BioEnergy's Nick Roberts said the applicant had 'worked positively with the council on planning conditions, which means robust controls in place to safeguard local amenity and quality of life'. The company claims the plant will reduce HGV traffic through the village, as chicken waste will be sent directly from the neighbouring Moy Park factory rather than transported elsewhere. The developer also stated that trees would grow quickly to screen the digester tanks and that smells would be tightly controlled. Residents remain unconvinced about odour mitigation.

How it is being reported

• Locals say it’s ‘bad day for Lincolnshire’ as biogas plant gets final approvalAngry residents interrupted a meeting to say they were “disgusted” as a biogas plant was being given approval in their village.Lincolnshire World · 13 Oct, 09:35
• 'A bad day for Lincolnshire' - Upset as massive £115m project approved in villageThe developer says there will be little smell from chicken waste being turned into gas, but residents are unconvincedLincolnshire Live · 12 Oct, 14:58

In this story: Stream BioEnergy · Anwick · Sleaford · Lincolnshire County Council · Moy Park

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