Council objects to revised anaerobic digestion facility plans, citing flood risks and impact on the town.
Haverhill Town Council met Monday, during which the planning committee voted unanimously to object to Acorn Bioenergy Ltd’s project. It is planned for Spring Grove Farm, which is in Withersfield and covers 14 hectares.
The first consultation ended in October 2023. Acorn had to give more details addressing flood risks, watercourse impact, wildlife, and air quality. The new consultation ends March 3.
Cllr Mary Martin spoke to the committee stating that while Acorn thinks it will help the town, she believes it will do the opposite. She considers it the wrong place, unacceptable, and disrespectful to the town.
Cllr Martin is worried about flooding at the site, since it is on a flood plain, often underwater, and fears spills into Stour Brook. She noted the site was never meant for industry.
The facility would make biogas from crops and farm waste like slurry, including poultry litter. Trucks would bring the waste to the site where it is upgraded into biomethane, which then goes to a facility for the national grid. Fertilizer is also produced.
Councillors said Acorn pledged to use waste from farms close by, but they think Acorn will need to go much farther.
Mayor David Smith fears food waste processing later, while doubting the site’s benefit to the environment and citing vehicle traffic to and from it.
Cllr Smith called it a monstrosity, stating that it is the wrong place, and that they plan no changes. “It’s insulting,” he said, and wants to object strongly, while also worrying about light and odor pollution which the facility could create.
Acorn stated on its website it won’t process food waste, with a deal with landowners to avoid this.
Cllr Quinn Cox mentioned many objections at the meeting, saying the town gains nothing from it. He agrees with Cllr Smith, wants to strongly object, and thinks it insults Haverhill residents.
Cllr Cox and Cllr Joe Mason discussed the economic impact, and while the facility promised new local jobs, Cllr Cox heard of businesses possibly leaving. Cllr Mason noted odor impact on nearby pubs, and thinks the facility will hurt the local economy, since businesses will suffer, he believes.
Acorn claims the plant has many benefits, and it could heat 7,000 homes and fuel 270 HGVs. They say updates reduce impact on residents.
Muck Off Acorn rejects this claim, calling it greenwashing. Mark Bowman represented the group at the meeting. Indy Wijenayaka spoke for Muck Off Acorn and said it disrupts the whole community. She thinks the EpiCentre and pubs will be impacted.
Wijenayaka said Acorn hasn’t answered community concerns, waiting 14 months for a response. “They’ve ignored the community,” she said, and hopes the Suffolk County Council sees sense.
An Acorn spokesperson said they work with stakeholders and are addressing consultation comments. They encourage questions to be sent to the council directly.