Residents living along one of the proposed transportation routes for the Deal Farm biogas plant have voiced their anger over the plans, reported Diss Express.
The group of neighbours, who live along Algar Road in Fersfield, are incredulous that a route close to their homes is being considered as a route for heavy good vehicles (HGVs) serving the planned anaerobic digester facility in Bressingham.
“Algar Road is a small, single track, tree lined and a designated quiet lane,” said resident Gary Donnison. “It is the only tree-lined road in the immediate area and, as such, is extremely popular in the local community for horse riding, running, dog walking and cycling.
“The trees lining the road are subject to protection orders and one of the proposed passing points is immediately between two of the oldest houses in Fersfield, both of which are listed buildings.
“The road is so narrow that it is impossible for two cars to pass without one leaving the road, which is compounded by dikes beside the road.
“It is obvious to all that this route is both unsuitable and unsafe for the use of large heavy goods vehicles. There is a reason why this route is the last route to be proposed by the company and that reason is that they themselves think it is the last road that should be used to support such a dreadfully mishandled venture.”
Last year, South Norfolk Council ordered all construction work on the anaerobic digestion plant in Kenninghall Road to cease.
The council ruled that the project had veered too far from the original plans, which were approved in 2015, with two digester tanks being built, both bigger than the one it was granted permission for.
Since then, campaigners have rallied against subsequent plans, as the developer attempts to rescue the project.
Algar Road resident Cyril Flajsner, 67, said: “It’s a cause for concern for everyone in the area. The latest transport statement concentrates all traffic on one road and it’s the smallest and most unlikely road you would want to use.
“They have clearly chosen the road with the smallest number of houses on it, in the hope that they will get less objections.
“I’m principally in favour of an anaerobic digester plant, but this is a poor location to have one due to the transport access.
“Any kind of regular HGV traffic will destroy this road, and there are water-filled ditches either side of it which have flooded quite recently.
“The transport statement has based its figures on the plant running at half capacity, which doesn’t seem a viable plan. There have certainly been half-truths along the way.”
The transport addendum to the current application claims that “operational efficiencies” would lead to traffic movements to the site decreasing from 5,128 per year to 4,141.
The plan outlines a route that runs north of the A1066 and includes Halford Lane, Fersfield Road, Nordle Corner, Lady’s Lane, Kenninghall Road and Common Road.
The document states: “By avoiding the main settlement, the proposed haulage route minimises the impact on the local community by routing away from the village centre and local school.”
Bressingham Deal Farm biogas facility’s transport plans “dreadfully mishandled”
