Biogas training site plans revealed in Ludlow
The UK's first training centre teaching students how to turn animal waste into fuel could open in Shropshire, it was revealed today.
Ludlow's former Coder Road council offices, rubbish tip and anaerobic digester could be turned into a green business park under ambitious plans unveiled by Cwm Harry Land Trust.
The site would also include the UK's first biogas-industry "training rig", which could attract students from all over the country to train as technicians in the rapidly-expanding industry that uses crops, food and animal waste to create fuel.
A bid to buy the site for the development has been submitted by Cwm Harry officials to Shropshire Council.
A decision on whether the offer is accepted is expected to be made in the near future. Supporters of the development described the latest news as "exciting".
After months of talks, the proposal to buy Ludlow's empty Coder Road council offices has been submitted to Shropshire Council with a view to turning them – along with the former rubbish tip and defunct anaerobic digester next door – into what is being called a "Zero Waste Enterprise and Education Zone".
Up to 40 people could be trained and new jobs created as part of a scheme to overhaul the site, which would also be the base for green businesses and not-for-profit organisations.
The bid follows talks over the future of the Coder Road site this summer, with multiple organisations – including Ludlow and Herefordshire College – getting involved in a drive by environmental body Cwm Harry Land Trust to use the site for the community.
Cwm Harry, which already owns the digester and former waste tip land, submitted long-awaited bid this month, it has been revealed.
Adam Kennerley, chief officer of the trust, said he had approached "a number of potential financiers" and turning the anaerobic digester into a training centre was "a real possibility".
He added: "If the offer made by Cwm Harry is accepted by Shropshire Council we have until the end of January 2015 to bring the partnership together and finance the purchase of the site."
Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North and a supporter of the scheme, said it was still up against commercial bids from other businesses, adding: "The council should not make a decision solely on price. It should consider the community benefits that will come from a green centre of excellence like this."
