D Williams & Co,
Cattlegate Farm,
Cattlegate Road, Enfield,
Middlesex EN2 8AU.
T:01707 872930
F:01707 876511
It has been bought to our attention that an Objection statement has been
circulated opposing the proposed plans at Cattlegate Farm in connection
with the Anaerobic Digestion Facility and Greenwaste composting. We feel
that the information in the opposing statements is NOT accurate and we
need to clarify our position as the promoter.
The erection of the buildings required in connection with the proposed
AD plant are commensurate to the efficient operation of the project and
are modern agricultural specification buildings. The heights are below
the excisting tree line and further tree planting is a key part of the
planning proposal, as indicated on the Landscape Proposals drawing
no.201.10.5A and detailed in the planning statement NO adverse visual
impact will be encountered locally.
The two-digester tanks are 13.8 metres in height and are sunk 3 metres
into the ground at the point of construction; therefore only 10.8 metres
(35 feet) will be visible above ground level. The existing backdrop of
established trees is already 15 metres tall therefore again over 4
metres taller than the largest construction on the site.
The flare stack is 5 metres high also sunk 3 metres into the ground
therefore 2 metres (6 feet 6 inches) above ground level. This is a
safety devise, which we have to include and will, only operate when the
generator is being serviced. After the initial commissioning phase, we
expect this to be for about 8 hours per year in years 1 and 2 and 24-36
hours in year 3 as the generator goes through a full overhaul in year 3.
This is NOT an industrial operation it is an environmentally friendly
way of processing food waste using 21st century technology that is safe
and has passed stringent legislation in connection with odour emissions,
noise and visual impact.
As well as contributing to EU regulations regarding significant CO2
reductions.
We have applied for 20 lorries to be able to access the plant for
Anaerobic Digestion and greenwaste per day. Our expected intake is 14
per day but we have to allow for hold ups on Motorways and to catch up
from Bank Holidays. The expected lorry movements represent 2 vehicles
per hour. A routing agreement will be in place via the A1005 Enfield
Ridgeway, East Lodge Lane, Left onto Cattlegate Road, Right into
Cattlegate Farm. All the junctions have good visual access for entering
and manoeuvring across junctions. The contractors we will use will have
trackers fitted to the vehicles and anyone found deviating from the
route will be issued with a large financial penalty for not observing
our site rules
The plant WILL run 24 hours a day, as it is a purely biological process.
The same way your compost heap in your garden operates 24 hours a day,
however the hours of reception for vehicles will be limited to Monday To
Saturday 8.00am to 6.00pm.
The proposal will be over 700 metres from the school and the village. We
are governed by strict Environmental Agency Regulations, one of which is
that composting operations must be over 250 metres from any dwellings.
We have more than satisfied that. The Environment Agency will inspect us
very regularly.
The use is very much an agricultural operation as the processed
feedstock from the Anaerobic Digester facility and the composted
material from the Greenwaste facility will be used entirely on our
farming operation obviating the need for us to buy any more man made
chemical fertilizers, which moves us, closer to growing crops in an
organic manner.
The paragraph which states it is a “24 hour operation (which probably
produces noise day and night)” is correct, however totally ill informed.
Noise levels have been clearly defined in the project statement provided
by Xergi (Our technology suppliers). This can be viewed on line. It
should be obvious to anyone who has read this information that noise
levels at any point of the plant are below levels dictated to us by
legislation.
We have clearly marked and designed Bio filters, which again are in the
planning application; these provide an environmentally controlled means
of suppressing and disposing of any odours. A thorough report on odour
emissions is available on line. This was prepared by independent
professionals, “ The Air Shed” who have been very thorough and extensive
in their research and reporting.
The suggestion that Pathogens and spores will be emitted is clearly not
accurate and yet another misunderstanding of the whole process. All
material going through the Anaerobic Digestion facility will be
pasteurised and heated to at least 70 degrees centigrade for the minimum
of One hour. This along with the AD process KILLS pathogens and spores
and therefore none can be emitted from the plant. Again, this
information is in the documentation which can be viewed very easily on
line, as is all the supporting documentation for these projects.
As a company we have worked for three years on this project and explored
every aspect to respect the feelings of our neighbours and the
sensitivity of the countryside and local environment which we as a
family have farmed since 1928. Government is legally committed to
sourcing 15% of the UK`s electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and
at present we are only just over 3%.
This as a way forward for Cuffley and Northaw to embrace forward
thinking and environmentally aware technology by supporting turning
25,000 tonnes of foodwaste into enough electricity to power 1,200 homes.
Two by products will be created. Having gained PAS110 accreditation the
processed feedstock will fertilize growing crops on our own farm land,
whilst surplus heat could be channelled into a district heating system
to heat the School, Warden Controlled houses and if infrastructure and
costs permit the Tennis club, Football club and Bowls club could all
enjoy renewable green heat.
I urge anyone to READ the application in full, as it is easier nowadays
than ever to view on line on Hertfordshire County Council’s web site,
before making ill informed and uneducated assumptions.
If, having investigated our proposals, you would like to view the site,
then please contact me to make an appointment to come to the farm to
discuss the project and view the areas to see and understand the reality
of the situation rather than rely on ill informed documentation which is
being circulated locally.
Adrian Williams
For
D Williams & Co.