IN your edition of the "Courier" on 10 June you asked for views on the planning application for a Biogas plant on the Lords Meadow estate.

Local residents should be aware that experience with these types of plant at other locations in Devon shows concerns with heavy tractor and trailer traffic causing road damage and pollution.

There are problems with the storage of large quantities of material waiting to be processed and odour issues from the material used and end products. Storage and disposal of the digestate raises other problems and the implications of further development on the flood plain give cause for concern.

The sizes involved are worrying; from the planning application, the master plan shows two digester tanks and a residue (digestate?) tank. No dimensions, heights or volumes are given. It appears that the four clamps are 70.5m, 74.0m, 79.0m and 83.5m long by 26m wide, that the two digester tanks are each about 31m in diameter and the residue storage tank is about 35m in diameter.

All three tanks are about 15m in height to the top of the domes. This is a massive development in the flood plain.

If the above facts are not enough to convince Crediton residents of the unsuitability of this development, then take a trip to similar plants at Menchine Farm, Nomansland and at Red Linhay by the Grand Western Canal in Halberton and be persuaded.

Keith Pitt

Tannery Farm

Bow