Explosion fear over chicken waste power plan near Whitchurch

Villagers are worried the planned anaerobic digestion plant on Lower Heath Farm, near Whitchurch, may not be safe.

It comes after a similar plant at Harper Adams University near Newport exploded in 2014, leading to a large clean-up operation.

But applicants Thornfield 002 Ltd have insisted that safety measures are in place to prevent a similar breach.

The plant, which would create renewable heat and electricity, is the latest put forward for a greenfield site in the north of the county.

Plans have been submitted to Shropshire Council and the plant would use chicken waste from an existing poultry business as fuel.

A report as part of the application states: "For safety reasons an automatic closed flare will be installed onsite.

"The primary function of the flare is to provide a safe outlet for the biogas in the event of over-pressurisation, pipeline or tank leaks or any other emergency condition necessitating that gas is diverted from the tanks, pipework, clean-up infrastructure or engines.

"The materials used in the construction of the plant do not represent a fire risk."

But it has already raised concerns that its scale may be out of keeping with the area as well as the impact of traffic travelling to and from the plant.

Commenting on Shropshire Council's website, one resident said: "Thousands of tonnes brought by HGVs is not carbon neutral, is not sustainable energy, and is not good for the environment, nor the residents of Lower Heath.

"Safety of the plant itself is of major concern. Look at what has happened at Harper Adams – it exploded."

Lesley Rumney, clerk to Prees Parish Council said: "The council's primary reason for objecting is the increase in traffic movements caused by the amount of materials that will have to be brought on to the farm in order to feed the digestor.

"This will have a huge impact on the local road network, local residents, and safety of the children at Lower Heath School. There is little benefit to the local community from this scheme but it will bear the brunt of the impact from the additional traffic movements.

But commenting in support of the application, James Wells said: "The owner has done everything he can to disguise farm buildings. Traffic has never been a problem either.

"The farm is kept to a very high standard and as far as I know the owner is always looking for ways to utilise sustainable energy and efficient processing, minimising the impact on the environment and its surroundings."