Acorn Bioenergy proposed building an anaerobic digestion plant to convert agricultural waste, including pig slurry, into biomethane, potentially capable of meeting the heating needs of 7,600 homes in the UK. The planned site for this facility was located west of the A338, between Grove and the Hanneys. However, the company withdrew its application just days before the Vale of White Horse District Council Planning Committee was set to decide. A spokesperson indicated that Acorn Bioenergy is reassessing its options regarding the project.
Had the application proceeded, the proposal would have faced significant scrutiny by the planning committee during its meeting scheduled for May 31, 2017. Planning officer Adrian Butler had advised against the project, citing various concerns, including the impact of increased HGV and tractor traffic on the living conditions of local residents. He also highlighted the potential harm to the area’s rural character, landscape, and habitats, including those of great crested newts.
During the public consultation phase, the proposal sparked substantial opposition, with several hundred objections raised over concerns about traffic, noise, odours, and its overall environmental impact. Among the objectors were over four parish councils—Grove, East Hanney, Charney Bassett, and West Hanney—along with Oxfordshire County and Wantage Town councils.
David Roberts, Chair of Charney Bassett Parish Council, expressed concerns regarding the local road network’s suitability for heavy vehicles, noting that the resulting disturbance would disrupt the lives of residents. East Hanney Parish Council voiced worries about noxious odours carried by prevailing winds, stating, “This parish is in the path of the prevailing wind and will suffer all the noxious anti-social smells the proposers have admitted will be a regrettable cost for our residents.”
West Hanney Parish Council shared similar reservations, warning of a “severe and lasting adverse impact on our rural community,” while Grove Parish Council cited specific worries over light pollution and odour, supported by Wantage Town Council’s objections.
Local residents echoed these concerns. Shaun Forbes, of West Hanney, emphasized his “huge concerns for the well-being and safety of all the residents,” while East Hanney resident Stephanie Garrard stated that the site was “incorrect” due to its proximity to tranquil villages lacking the infrastructure required to accommodate increased traffic and HGV transportation.
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