Herefordshire Anaerobic Digestion Plant Secures Environment Agency Permit

My friend, someone sent Nicola Cutcher some interesting emails. She co-founded Friends of the River Wye. These emails came after she asked the Environment Agency some questions relating to a planned plant near Newtown Cross.

This plant would use farm waste to create gas. It could power around 6,000 homes yearly, but some people believe the plan could pollute the air and water.

The Environment Agency gave the plant a permit last August. Planners won’t decide on the project until April though. An agency officer voiced concerns last March; they worried about the River Wye if the permit was approved.

The officer thought the plant’s tech was not good enough. It might not handle the incoming waste properly. They also felt the wetland was not appropriate for the plant’s outflow, which would then drain into the protected river.

Another officer’s email echoed these worries. The wetland may quickly become overwhelmed, they suggested. Cutcher stated FoRW objected strongly again and believes planners should ignore the permit approval because of this.

The Environment Agency said their permit requires actions. These actions should prevent any harm to the environment. FoRW didn’t know about the permit for two months. Other groups are also very worried about the plant. Around 300 people have objected to the plan.