BiogenGreenfinch granted permission for Herts AD

Organics recycling firm BiogenGreenfinch has secured planning permission to develop a 45,000 tonne-a-year capacity anaerobic digestion facility near Baldock in Hertfordshire.

The company, which already owns three food waste anaerobic digestion (AD) plants across the UK, yesterday (June 2) revealed it received approval for the Bygrave Lodge Farm development at a meeting of Hertfordshires county council committee on May 24 2011. BiogenGreenfinch said its plans had received unanimous approval.

The proposed plant would generate 8,500 tonnes of biogas to be used to generate between 1.5 and 2MW of renewable electricity which would then be exported to local energy generation networks. It would also produce 36,000 tonnes of bio-fertiliser.

BiogenGreenfinch said that the Bygrave Lodge Farm site has adequate transportation links, which is situated off the A505 between Baldock and Royston. It also said it could make use of the Pinnocks Lane sub-station near Baldock in order to export electricity.

In planning documents for the plant, the company revealed it was in already discussions with many companies and said it expects to secure sufficient food waste feedstock for the proposed plant. Clients for its existing facilities range from local authorities to commercial businesses.

Planning

Commenting on the award of planning permission, Richard Barker, chief executive of BiogenGreenfinch said, We are delighted with the decision of the planning committee, particularly as the vote was unanimous.

The anaerobic digestion plant will be built at an excellent strategic location near to the A1; instead of waste food being driven to landfill sites it will now be used to create renewable energy and help combat climate change. We look forward to working with local food waste producers on this exciting project.

BiogenGreenfinch said it has worked closely with the owners of the Bygrave Lodge Farm, Wallington Farms, to plan for the use of the biofertiliser produced as a by-product of the AD process on local crops.

The company has also ensured North Hertfordshire district council the host local authority that the plant will be surrounded by bunding and that the colour of the structures on the site would blend in with the surrounding landscape. Measures would also be put in place to minimise the level of odour emanating from the site.