Waste-processing plant first mooted in 2009 is back on the agenda, with some key changes

A WASTE processing plant capable of handling 55,000 tonnes annually is back on the cards, more than 15 years after it was first proposed.

- By HANNAH RICHARDSON

The planned anaerobic digestion centre at Sutton Lodge Farm, in Broughton Astley, has been mooted since 2009, but only the site access has been built since approval was given for it in 2010.

Now, applicant Sutton Lodge Biogas Limited is seeking approval from Leicestershire County Council to make changes to the original planning permission to render the plant compliant with more recent environmental requirements and new guidance on best practice.

Anaerobic digestion is a green energy process which ferments raw materials, or feedstock, in a large, airtight tank to create biomethane and carbon dioxide (C02).

The applicant proposes using a mixture of crops and agricultural waste for the site, such as manure, to generate biomethane which can be fed back into the gas network.

Leftover products from the process could be used as fertiliser.

Sutton Lodge Biogas Limited had previously proposed to use food waste as a significant portion of the feed for the plant.

However, this is no longer expected to be the case for the plant, off Frolesworth Road, prompting some concerns locally.