£2 million biochar plant to process green waste in Ludlow recommended for approval

In January, Shropshire Council submitted the plans to turn a former anaerobic digester on Ludlow Business Park into a unit producing biochar, a form of charcoal. 

Biochar is made by heating organic materials - such as plant trimmings, food processing residues, or forestry cuttings - in an environment without oxygen at temperatures of 400°C or higher (also known as pyrolysis).

The scheme is part of a £2 million investment into biochar-producing pyrolysis plants, with the first being built by Woodtek Engineering Ltd on Caebardd Farm in Powys.

In a planning statement, EnviroConsult, which is working alongside the council, said the scheme would "offer a viable alternative to inefficient disposal of green wastes" and provide "an economic gain" from the waste products.

Tony Higgins, from EnviroConsult, said that the side effects of the production process - such as dust, odours, and noise - would all be mitigated.

However, two objectors to the plans raised concerns that the mitigations would not be sufficient. 

One objection, from Ludlow Town Council, said the proposal could have "harmful environmental impacts", raising concerns over the risk of contamination from groundwater, the creation of "unpleasant smells" from sulphur dioxide, and the increase of traffic.

Another, raised by a neighbour, said the best mitigation of all would be to not proceed with the plans.

Mrs Bufton said: "The biodigester caused problems when it was operating. It is surely clear that this sort of facility should not be created in a built up area so close to residential homes."

But Chris Deaves of Shropshire Climate Action welcomed the plans, noting that Shropshire Council would have to soon introduce kerbside food waste collection.

Mr Deaves wrote: "This waste has to be processed and it makes sense to use a local facility already designed for this purpose rather than transporting it a long distance.

"It also provides an opportunity for Shropshire to be at the leading edge of a technology that will become increasingly important and valuable over time."

During the consultation process, environment protection officers lodged no objections on grounds of noise or odour, and no concerns were raised by highways staff about the impact on the local road network.

The plans, which planning officers have recommended for approval, will be put before Shropshire Council's Southern Planning Committee when they meet next week.

The report concludes: "Officers have come to this recommendation on the assumption that the relevant pollution control regime will be properly applied and enforced via the environmental permit.

"The proposed development provides important facilities in progressing towards a low carbon future, the management of waste within Shropshire and the development of sustainable places."

The meeting will take place at 2pm on Tuesday, March 25, at The Guildhall in Shrewsbury.

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