Biodigester which turns chicken waste into gas would ‘kill the village’, say Anwick campaigners

A biodigester which turns chicken waste into gas would ruin the reputation of a village, residents say.

The plans for Anwick were submitted earlier this year, and would be built on Horncastle Road close to the existing Moy Park poultry factory.

The facility near Sleaford would be able to process 120,000 tonnes of chicken manure per year.

Developer Stream Bioenergy says the plant would be highly regulated to mitigate smells and noise.

However, residents fear they would be unavoidable and have launched a large campaign to stop the plans.

Elaine Coulson, the campaign leader and chair of Anwick Parish Council, said: “If this goes ahead, it would kill the village. Nobody would be able to sell their houses, and nobody would want to come here.

“It’s bad enough having Moy Park on our doorstep, which smells two or three days a week.

“Our problem is the sheer size of the complex, and how it would over-industrialise our little village - 95% of the population is actively against it.”

The facility would harness anaerobic digestion to break down organic matter, creating biogas which can be pumped into the national gas grid.

Plans show it would include eight digester tanks which are 25 metres tall, as well as a processing building.

Residents are particularly concerned that the site would be located only 200 metres from the nearest homes.

Coun Mervyn Head (Ind), who represents the area on North Kesteven District Council, said: “I’m not anti-anaerobic digestion, but it should not be so close to the village. It goes against all of our planning policies.

“I’m passionate about the environment and I would support this plant in the right location. But I will not support it when it’s detrimental to the residents of Anwick.”

Residents also believe the busy road would suffer from more HGVs transporting manure, although the site would also have a direct connection with Moy Park.

An online petition against the plans has gathered more than 600 signatures, and the house closest to the site flies a flag saying “No to biogas”.

Stream Bioenergy says the project will be ‘a state-of-the-art development with a robust multi-stage odour control system’.

“A detailed odour assessment completed by an independent expert demonstrates that predicted odour levels at neighbouring properties will be well within accepted limits set for human health and residential amenity.”

There won’t be any outdoor handling or storage of the waste to minimise smells.

It also says that studies have shown there will be no adverse impact to nearby homes, and it will be operated in accordance with all regulations.

The company claims there will be a maximum of three HGV movements per hour which will have a ‘negligible’ impact, and the junction will be upgraded to avoid queuing.

The application will be determined by Lincolnshire County Council, and is currently open for public consultation on their website.