Festival promoter's fears over waste plant smell

It will take 14 months to build the plant

The hosts of a music festival have opposed plans for an organic waste processing plant over concerns about the smell.

Teesside company BioConstruct NewEnergy said the facility, at Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield, would process food waste and farmyard manure, producing methane gas which will be purified for the National Grid.

The company initially won approval to go ahead with the development, but there were complaints about a lack of local consultation, and it will be considered again next month.

John Adamson, owner of Hardwick Hall Hotel which runs Hardwick Festival, said: "The increased traffic and the potential odour problem will have a massive impact."

He said he had put on hold an £18m investment in a new spa and further development of the hotel.

He said: "We host many outdoor events, as well as Hardwick Festival, and this could have a real effect on them.

"It's damaging to our business and to the area as a whole, with a huge amount of materials being processed far too close to residential and business areas."

More than 800 people or organisations have objected and they have organised a campaign group to fight the proposal.

The proposed site is beside the Knotty Hill Golf Centre's 10th hole, and proprietor Denis Craggs said: "We are deeply concerned about the proposed anaerobic digester plant being planned directly adjacent to our grounds.

"The scale of the facility, the potential for persistent odours and the sheer industrial nature of the project are wholly incompatible with a recreational and family-oriented setting like ours."

'Makes no sense'

The application stated that the plant would generate methane from 76,000 tonnes of material annually, which, when processed, would supply the gas needs for 18,000 homes.

The remaining digested material will be used as fertiliser on local farms.

The process involves the organic material being broken down in sealed tanks.

Durham County councillor Ian Catchpole is also in opposition, saying: "Having an anaerobic digestion plant within 10 miles of a built-up area makes no sense whatsoever."

BioConstruct New Energy has been approached for comment.

Representatives for the company previously said the plant would not cause "noise or odour nuisance", or "give rise to traffic issues of any significance".