MP for Harborough Neil O’Brien has condemned proposals to build an Anaerobic Digestion power plant in Great Bowden, and is calling on residents to sign his petition against it, and also send in objections to the local council.
A planning application has been made to build the plant to replace Marigold Farm on Welham Lane, just outside the village.
Neil said:
“This proposal is in totally the wrong place. The plant turns biomass waste into combustible gas. It is a bit like a compost heap, but on an industrial scale.
The proposal is to replace the former Marigold Farm just off the A6 with a large industrial biogas facility, just by the bridge to Great Bowden.
According to the planning application, trucks carrying 9,000 tonnes of poultry manure would be arriving every year, along with 24,000 tonnes of solid digestate, 30,000 tonnes of liquid digestate and over 15,000 tonnes of straw.
In the peak period during October and November they would also be bringing in about 500 tonnes of Maize every day, and I am concerned we will get some lorries coming through Great Bowden.
Where such things have been built elsewhere in the country there have been problems with bad smells for nearby residents, and I know a number of residents in Great Bowden are concerned about that too.
I am encouraging people to sign my petition against this, and also to register their opposition with the council.
People can sign up to the petition against this by going on www.neilobrien.org.uk, which also links to the official consultation”
