AD plant gets the green light

Despite receiving hundreds of objections, Hertfordshire County councillors have voted unanimously to allow Cattlegate Farm in the UK to build an anaerobic digestion plant and compost facility.

Locals signed an objection statement against the facility because they believed it would be an eyesore and affect the surrounding environment through the production of noise and odour.

However, the farm says the buildings will be built to modern specifications and below the existing tree line. The two digester tanks will be 13.8m high, although they will be sunk into the ground by three metres.

It also insists the project applies with EU regulations, will reduce CO₂ emissions and the Environmental Agency will inspect the facility frequently.

Companies involved in the consultation process have included Maydencroft Rural, MTC Consultants and Liz Greenwood.

Maydencroft Rural says that the project will not harm the biodiversity of the surrounding area and 1.5 hectares of the surrounding land will be used for a flower, reptile and amphibian habitat.

MTC Consultants have given the farm a flood risk and water containment report which the company will adopt to its plans.

Liz Greenwood has provided the farm with a tree management plan and extra planting will be implemented as soon as the farm can do so.

The plant will turn 25,000 tonnes of food waste into electricity, enough to power 1,200 homes. Through this process, two byproducts will be generated – fertiliser and heat. The fertiliser will be used to grow crops on the farmland and the heat generated will be pumped into the district heating system for the school, warden controlled houses and if infrastructure and, costs permitting, the tennis club, football club and bowls club.