Agenda item

The construction and operation of an Anaerobic Digestion and Combined Heat and Power Plant and associated infrastructure including a new site access road at Rainbarrow Farm (Site 1) and underground service corridor linking to a new Combined Heat and Power engine in existing Engine House (Site 2) at Poundbury to supply Poundbury with renewable heat and power (Revised proposal) (Changes to proposed plant, infrastructure and land profiling at Rainbarrow Farm (Site 1)) and as varied by 1/D/2011/2113 to include repositioning of flare and CHP container, and additional equipment to include standby generator, switch gear, back up boiler, DMT Membrane Plant, transformer, 3 tank propane store and new gas pipeline to site boundary, to enable the majority of the gas produced by the Anaerobic Digester Plant to be fed directly into the public gas supply network at the pressure regulating station adjacent Monkeys Jump Roundabout (with variation of conditions 27 and 28 of planning permission 1/D/2011/2113 to regularise the existing development by increasing traffic levels, annual feedstock throughput and feedstocks).

The Case Officer provided members with the following update;

• Amendment to the wording of condition 2 on page 117 of the officer report.
• Amendment to the wording on page 2 of the update sheet which was circulated to members in advance of the meeting.

The Case Officer presented a visual overview, including plans and aerial photographs, to identify the site and explain the proposal, along with the relevant planning policies. The site context and access were discussed, noting that the site was within the Dorset National Landscape and included public rights of way. Site photographs were shown, highlighting the storage of feedstock, access, storage clamps, fermenter, and digestate store. The original application was approved in 2011, with an amended approval shown on a 2011 site plan and a 2017 approval for a fourth storage clamp. Figures depicting vehicle movements were provided, including observed movements in 2023 and predicted future vehicle movements, particularly peak HGV daily trips. The location of existing feedstock source sites was also presented.

No highways objection was raised due to the short distance between the site access and the main road network. Extracts from the submitted Delivery and Servicing Plan where presented, including the route between Winterborne Steepleton and Martinstown being identified as restricted. A condition was proposed to secure and log vehicular movements, which would require the applicant to make the log available to the planning authority with seven days' notice. The distance to the closest neighbouring property was also considered. The recommendation was for approval of the retrospective application, with the site already in operation.

Public Participation

Mr D Saunders, spoke as the planning agent for the application. He stated that the applicant had been supplying renewable gas for homes and CO2 to the drinks industry for over a decade, contributing millions of pounds to the local authority. He emphasized that the applicant aimed to regularize operations and ensure compliance, while continuing to produce green gas and effectively utilizing waste. Mr Saunders noted that the transport statement indicated no adverse effects on highway safety or residential amenity and highlighted that organic fertilizers would be supplied to other local farms. He concluded by outlining the numerous benefits the site offers and hoped the committee would support the officer recommendation.

Mr L Scarth, represented Winterborne St. Martin Parish Council, expressed concerns about the planning application. He highlighted that the expansion of the facility would further impact the designated National Landscape (formerly an A.O.N.B.), and traffic problems between Monkeys Jump and the Rainbarrow entrance had worsened in recent years. He pointed out the risk of accidents caused by McDonald's customers parking on the highway, forcing drivers to face fast oncoming traffic. Any increase in work vehicles would exacerbate these issues, causing further delays and potentially compromising the newly reintroduced bus service. Mr Scarth also noted errors in the Entran Report, such as trip numbers for the busy autumn period and the potential for changes in feedstock supply routes, which could give the developer unrestricted freedom to route vehicles as they wish. He requested a guarantee that traffic through Martinstown would not increase if planning consent was granted. Additionally, he raised concerns over the breach of the original feedstock quota, which had been exceeded by 65%, and urged Dorset Council to issue an enforcement notice. Mr Scarth emphasized the need for regular monitoring to prevent further violations and expressed concerns over the proposed increase to 100,000 tonnes of feedstock, which he believed would worsen traffic and environmental impacts. He concluded by strongly opposing the application.

Cllr R Holehouse, represented Winterborne Farringdon Parish Council, he expressed concerns about the potential adverse effects on transport movements, noting that the road was already very congested. He highlighted that tractor and trailer traffic created slow-moving congestion, which took time to clear. Cllr Holehouse also raised concerns about the transportation of feedstock from distant locations, pointing out the additional carbon and opportunity costs, which could offset the intended carbon reduction benefits. He referenced a global warming book that cited the relatively low environmental benefits of feedstocks, particularly due to their low energy input.

Members questions and comments

• Queuing arrangements which could potentially impact highway traffic flow.
• What measures would have been implemented to manage traffic flow?
• Additional controls or amendments to consider strengthening traffic management and movements.
• Can we reasonably limit the location of feed stock?
• Elaborate on what was controlled given the traffic problems.
• Needs to be collaboration between the parish councils and the applicant
• Members expressed concerns regarding the conditions outlined in the officer's report, particularly after reviewing the traffic management plans. They were concerned about the potential use of unsuitable alternative routes by larger vehicles accessing the site.

The Committee adjourned to provide the Case Officer an opportunity to discuss the conditions with the applicant. Upon reconvening, the Case Officer recommended that the application be deferred to facilitate further collaboration between the planning team and the applicant. This would enable the application to be presented to the Committee at a later date.

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to DEFER the officer’s recommendation, was proposed by Cllr Duncan Sowry-House, and seconded by Cllr David Taylor.

Decision: To defer the application.