Hi Supporters,
As some of you may already be aware if you follow us on Facebook, Acorn finally completed the submission of their full planning application to Suffolk County Council last week. This came after initially sending it in June 2023 but they were asked to supply/clarify some areas so it was not validated until recently.
This means we finally get a chance to get stuck in for what we have been preparing for all this time! All the signatures we have gathered and continue to gather from this petition will be provided as part of our objection data, so thank you for signing!
What we do need now are direct objections to the plans and are hoping that if you are local and will be impacted by this facility, that you’ll add an objection directly to Suffolk County Council.
The application and all documents can be found here and an objection can be submitted via that link by clicking ‘Comment on this application’ found via the ‘Documents’ tab. Or you can email the planning officer quoting reference SCC/0045/23SE on planning@suffolk.gov.uk or andrew.rutter@suffolk.gov.uk
We also understand that Acorn are proposing another public consultation meeting in late October/early November, so there is still a long way to go before this goes to committee for review and a decision made at Suffolk County Council.
As a campaign we will be holding a public meeting : Friday 20th October, 7pm, at the EpiCentre, Haverhill Research Park, CB9 7LR
The key areas of objection we feel are:
1) Location - there is no evidence that they have seriously considered alternative locations.
2) Traffic - at peak times in June/July they have advised that there will be an additional 148 lorry/tractor movements -a day! Using the roads and farm access routes to the site.
3) Flood risk - they have stated that there will be no increase to flood risk! This area is designated Flood Zone 3 which means there is a high probability of flooding. A Flood Risk Assessment will need to be submitted.
4) Environmental impact - it’s proximity to the Stour brook and on the edge of West Town Park is a threat to both wild habitats and public space. Something which the council should be keen to protect.
5) Visual Impact - they state that the huge site ‘does however appear rural in nature’! And will not be seen from public roads or footpaths! They admit that it will be visible from upstairs windows of local houses, and it will certainly be visible from the roads and EpiCentre.
6) Employment benefits - the site will only employ 5 people. Although more will be employed in construction, this is a specialist waste installation, so will need specialist contractors
7) Output – We absolutely accept that as a nation we need to consider alternative energy supplies – Acorn have advised that the plant will produce:
17,400 tonnes biogas, 27,100 tonnes natural gas, 24,000 tonnes liquid petroleum gas – however, none of which will be used locally. The single and only output/benefit for our area will be the spent digestate from the composting process for the 16000 acres of Vestey owned farms. The gas will be transported via road to the national grid injection point in Milton Keynes.
We will all have specific areas of concern, some of which may not have been highlighted above. But please be assured we are still going through the application and will share our thoughts at the meeting on the 20th October.
We are also aware that some may appreciate help in submitting their objections, so there will be a ‘drop in’ held at the EpiCentre on Saturday 21st October, 10-12am, where members of the Steering Group will be available to go through the process with you.
Please do help us by checking in frequently on our Facebook page and taking a look through posts and comments which will likely answer your questions and will save us from having to repeat information.
Your support in this matter is key to putting a stop to this application which simply cannot go ahead. We have every chance of succeeding by standing together!
Best wishes,
Muck Off Acorn campaign team