Dozens of residents have objected against controversial plans for a new anaerobic digestion plant to be built near Burnham-On-Sea.
Over 30 letters of opposition have been lodged with Sedgemoor District Council, which has this week decided to raise a formal objection against the scheme.
Rolserv Limited wants to build the plant on farmland close to the junction of Harp Road and Vole Road, between Brent Knoll and Mark, saying it would be an environmentally-friendly way to create energy.
The plant would enable natural biological processes to be used to break down organic waste material, such as food and agricultural material, to be converted into energy, known as biogas.
However, residents in the area are opposed to the plans, arguing that the plant would spoil the landscape, cause smells and noise, and create extra traffic.
Brent Knoll councillor Bob Filmer told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I do not believe this is a suitable location for this development. The proposed large indutstrial style bio-digester and accompanying buildings are out of scale and would be isolated and out of keeping with the surrounding countryside, therefore having a detrimental impact on the landscape.”
“There would be a very serious impact on the amenity of the residents of one house nearby and also to a nearby camping and caravanning site which would likely be impacted by noise and odours emanating from this site.”
Bob, right, added: “I am also very concerned about the highway network serving this proposed development. It is located on Harp Road, a very busy country lane. As the site will not in itself be generating the bulk of the material to fuel the bio-digester, this will need to be brought by vehicle along Harp Road, which will mean using Mark or Brent Knoll.”
Letters of objection have also been sent by councillor Diana Bayliss, ward member for the village of Mark, who says the plans would contravene both Sedgemoor District Council’s Core Strategy and National Planning Policy.
Others opposed to the scheme include Mark Parish Council, which says the “development is not approriate for the proposed locality in open countryside and would be better sited at an existing industrial brown field complex with good existing heavy vehicle road access.”
