CONSULTATION has been launched on plans to develop an agricultural anaerobic digestion facility on an area of land east of the A162, near Sherburn-in-Elmet.
ENGIE is proposing the facility which would support the agricultural community through partnerships with local farmers and provide green energy to the wider community, enough for 5,200 homes.
The facility will take biodegradable materials from local farms and turn it into low carbon energy via a process called Anaerobic Digestion (AD). It will sit alongside an existing AD plant that already operates at the site and new woodland and hedgerow planting.
As well as creating green power, the approach gives farmers a regular source of income and reduces their carbon footprint. It also helps further enhance their soil quality, with a natural fertiliser created as a by-product helping cut down on artificial, carbon intensive fertiliser.
The ENGIE team has launched a community consultation on their proposals, with a drop-in event to be held on 17 October 2024 between 2:30 and 6:30pm at the Lady Popplewell Centre in Sherburn-in-Elmet. It will be a chance for people to meet the team, find out more about the company and AD, as well as to provide feedback.
Wherever possible, the plans will take on board local feedback before a planning application is submitted to North Yorkshire Council for consideration.
Rob McKeon, Head of Business Development UK for Renewable Gases at ENGIE, said:
“ENGIE is a major player in the UK’s energy transition and has committed billions of pounds of investment to make the transition a reality. As part of that, anaerobic digestion is a tried and tested method for generating renewable energy from organic and naturally biodegradable materials. This proposed facility will sit alongside the existing agricultural AD site which generates renewable electricity for use in the wider community. The proposed facility will complement this and will generate local, renewable gas which will be enough to heat around 5,200 homes.
“We have a strong track record of operating AD plants across the UK and Europe and for being a responsible business in the local communities where we operate. As well as creating new jobs and partnerships with local traders and farmers we will also be supporting local causes with a community benefit fund.”
The proposal is being brought forward in response to the UK’s legally binding target to become net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Part of the challenge will be reducing the carbon footprint of both the UK’s energy consumption and agricultural sector, something North Yorkshire Council is addressing with its adopted Climate Strategy.
The proposed facility is being brought forward to:
- Provide renewable energy to the wider community, enough to power 5,200 homes
- Help energy security and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels
- Reduce the amount of greenhouse gases being released from agriculture
- Provide a sustainable and consistent income for local farmers
- Help reach net zero by 2050
- Produce a natural sustainable organic fertiliser to enhance soils on local agricultural land
- Create local jobs
- Establish a Community Benefit Fund to support local causes
- Engage the community, with educational visits for local schools and community groups
Proposed site location and layout plan.
How to get involved in the consultation
ENGIE is committed to working with the local community to develop a facility that benefits the local area and rural economy. As part of preparation of a planning application, the team taking a staged approach to consultation and is encouraging people to get involved in the conversation. People can do so by:
- Visiting the website www.ixoraenergy.co.uk/A162
- Attending a drop-in consultation session from 2:30-6:30 on 17 October at the Lady Popplewell Centre, Sherburn in Elmet
- Getting in touch with the team using the dedicated project contact details (see below)
People are encouraged to submit their comments before the consultation closes on 31 October.
Ways to get in touch with the ENGIE project team
People can get in touch with the team bringing forward the proposals via:
- Freephone 0800 689 1095 (Mon-Fri, 9.am-5.30pm)
- Email A162@fontcomms.com
- Website ixoraenergy.co.uk/A162
- Post (no stamp required): Freepost HAVE YOUR SAY