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 an update. Condition 2 (pages 161–162) had been amended to include the submission, and agreement in writing, of an annual review to the Local Planning Authority. The matter had been deferred since March 2025. The retrospective application sought to vary conditions 27 and 28, relating to highway movements and the type of feedstock. The officer also explained the nature of the anaerobic digester system.

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 2012, with an amended approval shown in 2017 for an approval for a fourth storage clamp. Condition 27 relating to traffic levels was referenced, with the original condition outlined. A table was presented to demonstrate vehicle trips per day in 2012 and 2017, reflecting the increase in feedstock on site. Data from 2023 was also provided, showing average loads per day alongside predicted calculations. 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 Abbas 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. Condition 28 detailed the types of feedstocks to be used. Reference was made to the original planning support statement, which outlined various feedstocks intended for the operation; over time, the most consistent feedstock had been identified. The recommendation was for approval of the retrospective application, noting that the site was already in operation.

Public Participation

Cllr Charles Norman spoke in objection to the proposal in his personal capacity. He stated that when originally proposed, it was believed the operation was compliant; however, previous owners had pushed the boundaries. He noted that digestate is a sterile fertiliser but expressed concerns regarding impacts on Poole Harbour. He also raised issues about movements exceeding 3,000 tonnes and the significant number of vehicle movements on the bypass over time.

Cllr Les Fry spoke in a personal capacity. Although the site was not within his ward, he expressed interest in the system and the broader aim to reduce air miles in all areas of life. He acknowledged that producing gas inevitably involves some negatives. Biodiversity concerns had been raised, but he emphasized that farmers could not be restricted in what they produce. He noted that only a few months of the year would be affected, impacting very few people. He also highlighted that the operation had been active for many years and had operated since its inception without complaints.

Darren Stockley (agent) confirmed the site opened in 2012 under previous ownership. He stated the operation had been openly transparent with the community and that no expansion was being requested. Since the previous deferral, efforts had been made to formalise and restrict vehicle movements. He noted that enforcement action under the Development Control (DC) process was in place and that the highways authority had raised no objections. The DC team would also be able to monitor compliance. He further reported that recent meetings had been held with three parish councils and community liaison groups.

Cllr Roger Holehouse spoke on behalf of the parish council. He welcomed the engagement with the community and viewed it as an opportunity for all parties to meet their objectives. He found the applicant’s willingness to engage encouraging.

Members questions and comments

• Confirmed that feedstock would not run out and that there was sufficient storage on site.
• Noted residents’ concerns about traffic; however, they were satisfied that traffic impacts had been considered, including delivery timings as per condition 12.
• Sought clarification on whether HGVs were petrol or diesel-powered.
• Clarified to members that the discussion concerned the variation of conditions 27 and 28 Discussed management of queuing.
• Raised questions on how late deliveries would be managed.
• Queried the weight of tractors.
• Addressed enforcement under condition 2; formal records to be made available upon request and questioned the need for prior notice.
• Recognised the working practices of farmers, including extended hours.
• Requested clarification on the tonnage involved.
• Confirmed that mostly tractors and trailers would be accessing the site.
• Thanked the officer for their presentation and report.
• Acknowledged that traffic generation was inevitable but noted the benefits to the rural community; many queries had been addressed.
• Agreed that the report and applicant’s work had satisfactorily settled concerns regarding traffic.

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 APPROVE the officer’s recommendation to GRANT as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Matt Bell, and seconded by Cllr Craig Monks, subject to conditions set out in the officer report and the update provided by the Case Officer.

Decision: To grant for the reasons set out in Section 16 and 17 of the officer’s report.