Comment

Representation ID: 4747

Received: 21/12/2022

Respondent: Environment Agency

Lower Drayton Farm Anaerobic Digestion facility is permitted and regulated by the Environment Agency. The proposals put forward under site ref 420, 584 and 010 will bring housing development adjacent to the permitted area and potentially expose new residents to amenity issues such as odour and noise either from the permitted facility or waste haulage vehicles entering and exiting the site. We still have concerns about the indicative concept plan which includes a community park and other potential development site/sport pitches adjacent to the AD site. Development in these areas could place unreasonable restrictions or expectations on this existing facility as a result of development permitted after they were established.

We recommend your planning policies ensure that appropriate assessment and mitigation can be carried out by the agent of change (ie residential allocations). Where any mitigation is not practical, properties should not perhaps be built close to the site perimeter. We recommend strategic policy SA4 references the risks associated with their proximity to such facilities, and the need for assessment and/or mitigation measures in order to inform and steer the masterplanning process.