A LOCAL man is thrilled that at a time when gas and electricity prices for domestic and business users are at an all-time high and the UK’s reliance on imported fossil fuels is now more prominent than ever, his Crediton-based business will, in the near future, be able to provide local green energy to the area.

Work has begun on the plan for construction of an on-farm anaerobic digestion plant and associated infrastructure on land at NGR 285024 100245 (East of Lords Meadow Industrial Estate) Crediton, application reference 18/01800/MFUL.

The application, approved by Mid Devon District Council in 2019, was submitted by Graham Kerslake of Lords Meadow Biogas, who described the approval as “positive for Crediton”.

The plan includes construction of an anaerobic digestion plant comprising a digester and two large tanks, five storage areas, innovative pre and post treatment equipment and two smaller process tanks, provisions and vehicular access, infrastructure works, tree planting, landscaping and other associated works on land belonging to the Downes Estate at the end of Lords Meadow Industrial Estate, Crediton.

Mr Kerslake said that the pandemic had brought the plan to a halt but was pleased that after a lot of work, the plan is now back on track.

However, costs mean that the previously £12.5 million plant, now costing £14.3 million.

It had been hoped that the plant would be operational in July 2020 but with archeological works completed this month, it is proposed that work on the access track will be started in the middle of next month.

After that he hopes that building work will start quickly and that the plant would be operational within 14 months.

When completed it will supply enough gas into the grid for 3,200 homes.

Previously Mr Kerslake said that the advanced technology plant will be “super green”, adding that the process will be odourless, and there will be just an average of six deliveries of materials to fill the digester each day.

GREEN ENERGY

“The plan should appeal to anyone who is environmentally-minded and will see the benefits of using by-products to produce green energy,” he went on to say, “not only will the facility produce renewable gas, it will also produce 6,000 tonnes of concentrated bio-fertiliser, which will be used by the farm to grow crops, this bio-fertiliser eliminates the need for the farm to buy in expensive, chemical fertilisers that in themselves use a huge amount of energy from fossil fuel sources to produce.

“We will also be planting about 1,200 trees and shrubs to screen the site and to provide new ecological habitats.”

Three full-time staff will be employed.

MDDC, at the planning stage, said that the plan was not considered harmful to the environment, the landscape, neighbouring residents and the Heritage assets is not significant enough to warrant refusal of the application when balanced against the benefits.

Crediton Hamlets and Crediton Town Council both objected to the plan.

Crediton Town Council commented on visual impact, a negative impact from too much hardstanding in the valley and non-compliance with the emerging Crediton Neighbourhood Plan.

Crediton Hamlets expressed concerns about odour and dust, both which it said could affect local businesses reliant on clear air and nearby residential developments.

Traffic concerns were also raised.

When it was being discussed at the planning stage, Charles Mossman, energy group leader for Sustainable Crediton, backed the plan saying that the plan would not cause significant harm and that the benefits outweighed any limited harm that may be caused.

EXCITED

Mr Kerslake added that he was “as excited about the plan now as he was at the beginning”.

“It ticks a lot of boxes, helping with climate change, it’s green, creates fertiliser, energy and gas.

“We can’t go on making gas from fossil fuels so we make it from methane, which is the way forward.”

• What do you think of the anaerobic digester plan for Crediton?

Share your views with fellow “Courier” readers.  Write a letter to The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF or email your letter to: [email protected] .

• See more images of the anaerobic digester plan in the current issue of the Crediton Courier, on sale now.