Shropshire energy plant backed despite objections

A large energy plant in the Shropshire countryside which could power hundreds of homes has been backed by council planners, despite residents saying it will ‘blight their lives on a daily basis’.

HF & NJ Williams & Sons have tabled plans for the anaerobic digester at Lea Hall Farm, near Shrewsbury, which would produce enough electricity to supply 1,176 households annually and operate 24 hours a day.

Shropshire Council members will be asked to approve the plans at a meeting on Thursday, after planning officers said it would not create any adverse impacts on the whole.

It comes despite objections from locals. Resident Gillian Stokes said: “Residents of The Lea will have their daily lives blighted by this development.

Increase in traffic and associated noise application states that traffic will increase. The daily numbers are an increase in volume of 46 per cent – this is certainly not an insignificant increase.

“The only person who will benefit here is the applicant and therefore the plans have been developed without a thought for the residents. The council has a duty to safeguard the amenity and environment of the residents of The Lea and this development is not justified.”

And Tony Collins said: “We note that there is to be a substation as part of the plan but have not ascertained any further details regarding this. Will there be power lines and pylons added to the plans at a later date? This could materially affect the impact of the overall plan.”

Council case officer Graham French concluded the development ‘would not give rise to unacceptably adverse impacts on the environment, local amenities or other interests of acknowledged importance.”

The 500kWe Anaerobic Digestion plant would be used to process and manage up to 10,500 tonnes of feedstock each year. Plans include an AD digester tank, storage building, storage tank, transformer and substation and associated works.