The decision was taken at the committee’s 17 February 2026 meeting, where members considered the application following concerns that the original September 2025 approval had not fully addressed all relevant planning policy tests.
Biomethane facility in Evenley
The proposal, submitted by Acorn Bioenergy and the site’s landowners, sought to build, operate and eventually decommission an industrial-scale biomethane gas generation facility on agricultural land west of the A43 near Evenley.
The scheme comprised of:
- Anaerobic digesters and gas handling infrastructure
- Storage tanks and Multi-Element Gas Containers (MEGCs) for transport
- Highway access improvements
- Landscaping and biodiversity enhancements
The development has been designed to process agricultural and organic feedstock to produce biomethane, with associated digestate returned to farmland as fertiliser.
Acorn Bioenergy opened a biomethane facility in Winchester in September 2025.
Concerns about odour and traffic raised
The application was first brought before planners on 23 September 2025, following a deferral from an August meeting, and was approved subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement.
Opponents argued the plant’s size, height and mass were inappropriate for an open countryside location and contrary to local planning policies designed to protect rural character.
Concerns about odour, noise and increased traffic in the local area were also raised.
Speaking at committee meetings on behalf of Acorn Bioenergy, applicant Daniel Lambert emphasised the environmental and farming benefits of the proposal and sought to allay safety and nuisance concerns.
Lambert said that the facility would support local farming practices by creating a market for break crops that improve soil health and structure, and that the digestate produced would be returned to farmland as a nutrient-rich fertiliser.
Council votes to approve construction
Despite approval being given in the September 2025 meeting, the council scheduled a re-assessment on 17 February 2026 following arguments that the original determination had failed to properly consider the development against the county’s Minerals and Waste Local Plan.
The planning committee asked for extra conditions to be applied, including that a minimum of 50% of the feedstock used came from within 15km of the site.
The vote went to deadlock, with Chair of strategy planning, Councillor Scott Packer voting in favour of the application, meaning that the council once again granted the site permission to go ahead with construction.
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