105 Anaerobic Digesters (2-35-18) PDF 372 KB
Arising from a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, the Scrutiny Committee had recommended that:
a) A request be made to the Environment Agency for the opportunity for MDDC to feed into the environmental permitting regime and that a copy of the approved permit be given to this authority.
b) Where enforcement issues were raised with an AD plant, that related to more than one agency, coordination take place between relevant agencies and that MDDC take a lead role in that coordination.
c) a review of the scope of planning conditions to control AD plants be undertaken in order to develop best practice for future applications.
Minutes:
Arising from a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, the Scrutiny Committee had recommended that:
a) A request be made to the Environment Agency for the opportunity for MDDC to feed into the environmental permitting regime and that a copy of the approved permit be given to this authority.
b) Where enforcement issues were raised with an AD plant, that related to more than one agency, coordination take place between relevant agencies and that MDDC take a lead role in that coordination.
c) a review of the scope of planning conditions to control AD plants be undertaken in order to develop best practice for future applications.
The Head of Planning and Regeneration informed the meeting that the issue of anaerobic digesters in Mid Devon had been driven by the concerns of a local community and consideration had taken place by the Scrutiny Committee as to how their concerns may be addressed by multi-agencies working together. The Planning Service was currently seeking to clarify the scope of enforcement control in relation to AD scheme parameters and conditions as a result of issues raised by complainants and objectors.
Discussion took place regarding the need for multi-agencies to work together to share information.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Scrutiny Committee be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr R L Stanley)
Note: *Report previously circulated copy attached to minutes.
92 ANAEROBIC DIGESTERS PDF 372 KB
At a meeting of the Committee on 10th September 2015 public concerns over operational anaerobic digester schemes in respect of noise, smell, pollution and traffic were discussed. It was resolved that a report be prepared to address the following issues in connection with anaerobic digesters.
Minutes:
At a meeting of the Committee on 10th September 2015 public concerns over operational anaerobic digester (AD) schemes in respect of noise, smell, pollution and traffic were discussed. It was resolved that a report be prepared to address issues raised in connection with anaerobic digesters.
The Committee therefore had before it a report * from the Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Head of Human Resources and Development detailing how the Authority would address resident’s concerns over the impact on them of existing operational schemes within parts of the district, how such concerns were investigated, liaison between different organisations with a regulatory role and what lessons could be learnt as a result.
The Head of Planning and Regeneration explained that the report contained an introduction to anaerobic digestion, details of current schemes within Mid Devon, roles and responsibilities of the Local Planning Authority, Environmental Health Service, Devon County Council, the Environment Agency, Public Health England and the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). She also explained that a majority of complaints to Planning Enforcement, regarding activities associated with AD Plants, had turned out to be activities taking place on agricultural land away from the actual site and which could take place, in planning terms, quite lawfully.
The Public Health Manager further explained that another agency, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (with enforcement through Trading Standards), had been identified since the issue of the report, with a responsibility for animal health such as the use of bi-products from AD, for example the spreading of digestate on land or use as litter in poultry houses.
Discussion took place regarding:
· The benefits to the public in knowing where to report issues;
· The need to undertake stronger enforcement;
· The need to look at other planning applications, such as those for poultry sheds, if they were connected to the AD plants;
· The need to liaise with neighbouring authorities when appropriate;
· A recent AD case in Ramsbottom which had been called in by the Secretary of State;
· Whether there was potential for enforcement if AD plants were operating on a different basis to that set out at application stage.
It was RECOMMENDED to Cabinet that:
a) A request be made to the Environment Agency for the opportunity for MDDC to feed into the environmental permitting regime and that a copy of the approved permit be given to this authority.
b) That where enforcement issues were raised with an AD plant, that related to more than one agency, coordination take place between relevant agencies and that MDDC take a lead role in that coordination.
c) That a review of the scope of planning conditions to control AD plants be undertaken in order to develop best practice for future applications.
(Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Mrs J Roach)
Note: - Report * previously circulated and attached to Minutes.