Second green gas plant approved

The plant will be built alongside an existing one at Hemswell Cliff

A second green gas plant in Lincolnshire has been approved.

The anaerobic digestion unit at Hemswell Cliff between Gainsborough and Lincoln could generate up to 6MW of energy.

It works by using bacteria to break down food waste to produce biogas.

The facility is set to be located next to an existing one and will be connected to the National Grid.

No formal objections

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the proposal was passed unanimously by Lincolnshire County councillors.

It will generate electricity, heating, biomethane, and CO2 to West Lindsey District Council’s Food Enterprise Zone.

The application also includes an associated waste reception building, a vehicle fuelling station, and three digesters.

It will create 18 new full-time jobs, with others employed on an "as and when required" basis, the meeting heard.

Planning Officer Neil McBride explained that planning permission for the first plant had been granted in 2012 and operations had since expanded, and that the new plant would be identical to the original.

Conservative councillor Thomas Ashton insisted it was “reassuring” that it wouldn’t be taking up prime agricultural land.

“I think it’s very clear that this is to be located alongside an existing anaerobic digestion plant,” he said.

Mr Ashton later pointed out that there had been no formal objections to the plans, which he felt was “quite unusual,” but showed there was no reason not to approve them.

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