Environmental Permit Issued for Herefordshire Anaerobic Digestion Plant

The Environment Agency (EA) has granted a permit for updated plans regarding an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Herefordshire. Landowner Nicholas Layton intends to construct the unit at Whitwick Manor, located near Ledbury. If ultimately approved, the plant would convert poultry manure and other agricultural waste into natural gas. While Mr. Layton has asserted that the digester would not harm the River Wye’s ecosystem, environmental organizations have voiced significant concerns that it could negatively affect an already vulnerable habitat. A decision on Mr. Layton’s planning application is anticipated from Herefordshire Council in December. This follows the initial submission of proposals for the facility, near Yarkhill, two years ago. The application indicates that, if given approval, the AD plant would process 116,000 tonnes of poultry manure and apple pulp annually from local farms, generating enough natural gas to supply approximately 6,000 homes. The proposed scheme is also expected to produce a nutrient-rich residue, which could be marketed as fertilizer. However, the project has elicited hundreds of public objections, citing concerns about pollution, its visual impact on the landscape, and traffic. In January, an analysis conducted by county council officers concluded that there would be “an adverse effect on the integrity” of the protected River Wye catchment. Natural England had previously downgraded the Wye’s status last year to “unfavourable – declining” after a decrease in recorded species, such as Atlantic salmon. Poultry waste contains phosphorous, a substance that can contribute to excessive algae growth in rivers. In October, Bourne Valley Associates, acting as Mr. Layton’s agent, informed the county council’s planning team that a modified proposal would lead to a net reduction in phosphorous pollution. The building consultancy stated that no phosphate fertilizer produced by the digester would be sold for use within the River Wye’s catchment. An EA spokesperson confirmed the issuance of a permit, which includes several “pre-operational” conditions. The spokesperson stated, “This ensures that the proposed operations will not cause harm to the environment. We understand that the site will also be subject to planning consent.” Nevertheless, environmental groups have called upon the agency to clarify its decision to issue the permit, given the poor condition of the Wye and its tributary, the Lugg. Andrew McRobb, director of CPRE Herefordshire, commented, “Granting the permit is premature and seems to ride roughshod over our democratic process of determining these applications in the round, with proper scrutiny and local expertise.” Tom Tibbits, chair of Friends of the River Wye, warned of a very real risk of a “catastrophic pollution event” in a sensitive area of the River Lugg’s catchment.