Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
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DONCASTER METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE - 13th March 2012 Application 01 Application 11/03356/FULM Application 19th March 2012 Number: Expiry Date: Application Planning FULL Major Type: Proposal Erection of biomass renewable energy facility, associated landscaping Description: and vehicular access At: Land Off A614 Lindholme Doncaster For: Vulcan Renewables Third Party Reps: 0 Parish: Hatfield Parish Council Ward: Thorne Author of Report Mark Sewell MAIN RECOMMENDATION: GRANT 1.0 Reason for Report 1.1 The application is being presented to the Planning Committee as it represents a departure from the adopted development plan. 2.0 Proposal and Background 2.1 The proposed development involves the construction of a locally sourced biomass fuelled, renewable energy facility. The proposed facility will convert approximately 35000 tonnes of locally sourced biomass into biogas per annum, which will be transferred into the gas network for local and national use. 2.2 The proposal comprises of plant and structures for the storage of feedstock material and bio-fertiliser, a biogas digester, biogas holder, leachate storage tank, gas to grid processing unit, attenuation pond, earth bunding and ancillary structures and buildings. The facility will consist primarily of three tanks (9m height x 23m diameter; 13m height x 28m diameter; 13m height x 34m diameter), together with a silage clamp of earth bund design covering 6000 sq. metres. 2.3 The application site itself is located on the western side of the A614 road, opposite the junction with Vulcan Way, Lindholme village. The site is currently agricultural land, with an area of approximately 5 hectares, and surrounding by similar agricultural land to the north, south and west. Lindholme Village is located to the eastern side of the site on the opposite side of the A614, with the closest residential property being located some 200 metres from the application site. 2.4 As mentioned previously, the proposed facility and process will convert around 35,000 tonnes of locally sourced biomass into biogas which will be transferred into the gas network via the adjacent gas utility sub-station. As a by-product, an odourless organic bio fertiliser will be produced from the anaerobic digestion process. 2.5 The biomass material will consist of crops sourced locally from the surrounding farms. These will be in the form of ‘break crops’ (a secondary crop used as part of crop rotation, whereby a physiologically different crop is inserted into the main cropping plan in order to provide a "break" from the cycle of weeds, pests and diseases encountered with arable farming), typically standard crops such as maize or grass. In this way, the vehicular movements associated with the development will be similar to the existing situation on the local highways network, with farmer’s tractors delivering the materials to the site after cropping. The proposal aids local farmers by restoring fertility to the land and reducing disease and pest pressure, as well as providing additional financial income. 2.6 The biogas will generate clean renewable energy from local biomass, producing sufficient energy (gas) for 2500 homes. The plant operates using an anaerobic digestion process, converting organic material into biogas with a completely airtight, oxygen free environment. The biogas is then injected directly into the adjacent gas grid. 2.7 The second product of the process is ‘digestate’, known as bio-fertiliser. It is a naturally produced fertiliser which is returned to the soil. Digestate recycling reduces the amount of artificial chemical fertiliser required by local farmers. 2.8 The applicants have provided an overview of the various stages of operation of the facility; Stage 1 The biomass feedstock will be collected from local fields and transported to site during typical crop harvest periods. The biomass will be in the form of chopped cuttings and stored within sealed and covered silage clamps. Stage 2 The feed hopper is loaded for a period of approximately 2 hours per day. During this time the stored biomass is transferred from a small opening at the clamp end into the feed hopper. Stage 3 The fully automated process transfers the biomass into the fermentation tank where the biogas is produced. Biogas is a mixture of methane (CH4) and biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2). The biogas is transferred to the Biogas Upgrading System, used to prepare and inject the gas into the National Grid gas network via an existing underground gas pipe passing near the site. Once the gas is injected it is distributed within the local gas network. The renewable gas will be used to displace fossil natural gas. The facility will provide enough renewable gas to supply around 2,500 homes. The site will also have a control building between the fermentation tank and the liquid digestate storage tank, used to monitor and operate the process. There will be a small biogas engine on site used to provide onsite energy requirements. Stage 4 Once the biogas is collected, the processed biomass (digestate) is transferred from the fermentation tank to the liquid digestate storage tank. The solid fraction of the digestate is loaded onto a tractor-trailer and the liquid digestate is transferred to the liquid digestate storage tanks. Digestate (also known as biofertiliser) is an important output of the biogas plant and is a naturally produced fertiliser used on the biomass grown for the plant. Digestate recycling will reduce the amount of artificial chemical fertiliser used by local farmers. 3.0 Relevant Planning History 3.1 None 4.0 Representations 4.1 The application has been advertised in accordance with Circular 15/92 by way of site notice press advertisement and notice in the local press. No representations have been received as a result of the publicity process. 4.2 In addition, the applicants have carried out their own programme of publicity prior to the submission of the application. This included a public exhibition attended by approximately 100 people. The applicants have also liaised with the Lindholme Village Action Group, and residents of the Redhouse Park residential homes, these being the closest affected populations to the application site. 5.0 Parish Council 5.1 Not received. 6.0 Relevant Consultations Ecology – no objections, suggested condition regarding landscaping scheme and management plan as the site is close to the Hatfield Moors SAC. Trees & Hedgerows – no objections Pollution Control (contaminated land) – no objections Pollution Control (air quality) – no objections Highways – no objections, suggested conditions with regards to engineering details and connecting access to existing highway Strategic Transport – no objections Drainage Officer – no objections, suggested conditions with respect to surface water and development near a water course Environment Agency – no objections Natural England – no objections Hatfield Chase IDB – no objections Environmental Health – formal comments not received (to be reported at Planning Committee) Thorne & Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum – not received South Yorks Police – no objections, suggested condition South Yorkshire Archaeology Service – no archaeological implications Health Safety Executive – Standing advice no need to consult HSE formally. Internal Drainage Board – No objection. Fire Officer – Advice relating to access for fire vehicles and to water supply. National Grid – Advice relating to gas pipeline within vicinity of the site. 7.0 Relevant Policy and Strategic Context 7.1 Planning Policy Statements PPS1 – Delivering Sustainable Development PPS7 – Sustainable Development in Rural Areas PPS22 – Renewable Energy PPS23 – Planning and Pollution Control 7.2 Regional Spatial Strategy The Government revoked the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Spatial Strategy on the 6th July 2010. However, following the High Court decision on 10th November, this was ruled unlawful and as such it should continue to be considered as part of the statutory development plan under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. It is however understood that the Government intends to abolish Regional Strategies, which is set out in the new Localism Bill. ENV5 – Energy ENV10 – Landscape 7.3 Doncaster UDP (adopted 1998) forms part of the development plan. ENV4 – Countryside Policy Area ENV11 – Industrial / Commercial Development in the Countryside ENV18 – Landscape Conservation ENV65 – Pollution T5 – New Development and Highways SPU2 – Renewable Energy 7.4 The emerging Doncaster Local Development Framework Core Strategy is a material consideration but has limited weight due to its early stage. Policy 3 – Countryside Policy 18 – Air, water and agricultural land Policy 19 – Renewable energy 8.0 Planning Issues and Discussion 8.1 This assessment will consider in more detail the main issues arising from this proposal: Principle of development Visual amenity Odour and air quality Residential amenity Traffic and highways Drainage and Flood Risk Development in the Countryside 8.2 The application site is located within the allocated Countryside Policy Area, whereby Policy ENV4 of the UDP is applicable. ENV4 sets out what uses are generally considered to be acceptable in such locations, these are generally restricted to agricultural uses and recreation and leisure. On this basis, the proposal for energy generation (more akin to an industrial use) would be considered to be contrary to these provisions. 8.3 Policy ENV11 of the UDP is concerned with industrial / commercial developments within the countryside. The