Objector demands for economic, environmental impact and safety risk assessments over £25m biogas plant bid in Easter Ross prompts response from applicant Acorn Bioenergy
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THE company behind hotly contested proposals for a £25m biogas plant in Easter Ross has pledged to address the concerns of objectors following a storm of protest.
Acorn Bioenergy wants to build an anaerobic digestion plant (ADP) on a 7.5-hectare site at Fearn Airfield, near Balintore to produce what it calls "clean, green biogas" using crops and by-products from local farms and distilleries.
It wants to develop new ADPs in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire and has outlined plans to invest around £105m in Scotland over the next two years.
The bid tabled with Highland Council has already triggered around 100 objections and prompted public meetings and calls from local councillors for more details on the number of HGV trips that would be required to the plant.
Objectors gathering at Balintore Harbour to oppose the plans warned of severe economic, environmental and social impacts claiming the farming, tourism and hospitality sectors will all affected.
They are opposed to prime agricultural land being used to feed the plant which Acorn says will offer local farmers a new, long-term source of income, selling 'feedstock', such as "energy crops", silages, straw and waste inputs, including manures, to be used in the plant’s digestion tanks, along with draff and pot ale from local distilleries.
“We are aware of the concerns being expressed by a number of local people and will make sure these are addressed during the ongoing planning process.” - Acorn Bioenergy
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Protesters question whether Highland Council should require Acorn to use Ofgem’s most recent definition of waste, which they say would exclude the inclusion of draff and straw, used in livestock businesses.
They say councillors have a responsibility to ensure prospective developments realize the best interests of community resources and demand a detailed economic and environmental impact assessment .
They say the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) highlighted the challenges in overcoming the safety issues raised with the proposal and were "sufficiently concerned they recommended Acorn find an alternative site".
Their statement goes on: "Considering serious safety concerns have been raised by the CAA and others, why is there no safety risk assessment available? Current government policy is to reduce gas utilization, then paradoxically support international investors to produce gas, perpetuating the very environmental effects they apparently wish to mitigate! "Even more damaging is their flawed strategy of shifting vast swaths of arable land from food production to gas production, all amidst an apparent food and cost-of living crisis!
"If we need gas we can take it from the North Sea, let’s stop being fooled by the ‘greenwashing’. There is no doubt this plant will benefit the landowner and local distilleries, sadly this gain will be at the expense of residents, tourists and small businesses across the wider community.
"All things considered, we respectfully request Highland Council ensure detailed economic and environmental impact and safety risk assessments be completed and their findings made public before deciding this application."
A spokesman for Acorn Bioenergy said: “We are aware of the concerns being expressed by a number of local people and will make sure these are addressed during the ongoing planning process.”
A Highland Council spokeswoman quizzed about the calls for full assessments said: "The proposal was considered in line with the provisions of the relevant environmental impact assessment regulations and as a result it was not considered the proposal would require to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
"Environmental and economic assessments have however been required and submitted but not in the form of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report. These are currently under consideration by officers and the relevant statutory consultees.The application will be determined once all relevant information has been received having regard to all relevant material planning considerations."
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