Renewable Energy Planning Guidance

8/17/2019 Renewable Energy Planning Guidance

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The development ofanaerobic digestion plants

Renewable Energy Planning Guidance Note 4


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Current Document Status

Version V2 Status Approved

Date 16/07/12 Approving body PPAP

Responsible Officer EIW Date approved 24/02/12

Version HistoryDate Version Author/Editor Comments

24/02/12 V1 Peter Rugg PPAP adopted version

16/07/12 V2 Ellie Inglis-Woolcock Revisions


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The Development of Anaerobic Digestion Plants in

Cornwall

This guidance document has been prepared to assist all parties involved in the renewableenergy development process. It is intended that the guidance document will be adopted by

the Council as a “Supplementary Planning Document” following the adoption of the Council’sCore Strategy proposed after 2013. Until then the status of this document is that it has been

approved by Members of the Council’s Planning Policy Advisory Panel and Waste DevelopmentAdvisory Panel and while it will not attract the full weight of an SPD document will attract

some weight in decisions reached on planning applications.

Introduction

This draft guidance note aims to provide planning advice in respect of thedevelopment of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants in Cornwall.

The guidance contained within this document aims to assist anyone wishing to

develop an Anaerobic Digestion plant to progress from their initial concepts and ideas,through to the submission of a planning application.

The Government has set targets to increase electricity and/or heat generation fromrenewable sources. Cornwall Council is keen to promote the generation of electricityand/or heat from renewable sources in Cornwall in order to contribute towards a moresustainable future.

This guidance note is part of a series of planning guidance notes for RenewableEnergy prepared by Cornwall Council. Other guidance notes include.

1. 50kW solar PV

3. Onshore wind

4. Anaerobic Digestion

5. Hydropower

6. Biomass

7. Heat pumps

8. Deep Geothermal

9. Advanced Energy from Waste

These guidance notes will be regularly reviewed and updated and can be viewed onour website at www.cornwall.gov.uk/renewableenergy

We hope that you find this planning guidance useful but if you have any queriesplease do not hesitate to contact the Planning and Regeneration Service [email protected] or telephone 0300 1234 151.

We continuously seek to improve the quality of the advice and guidance that we offerand we would be happy to receive comments, suggestions or images which mayimprove this guidance document.


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Contents Page

What is Anaerobic Digestion? 3

Government Policy for Anaerobic Digestion 4

Financial Incentives 5

Cornwall Council Waste and Planning Policy 5

Role of the Local Planning Authority 6

Environmental Impact Assessments 6

Role of the Environment Agency 7

Applying for Planning Permission 7

Issues to be considered in any Planning Application: 9

a) Landscape and Visual Impact 9

Case Study 1: Penare Farm 13

b) Design of Buildings 14

c) Landscaping and Boundary Treatment of site 15

d) Traffic movements and access to site 15

Case Study 2: Sharp’s Brewery 18

e) Vehicle Movement and Parking on Site 19

f) Emissions, Odour and Air Quality 19

g) Pest Control 20

h) Noise 21

i) Security Fencing/Lighting 21

j) Agriculture 23

k) Soil stripping, storage and replacement 23

l) Water Management 24

m) Public Rights of Way 24

o) Site Safety 25

p) Ecology 25

q) Historic Environment 27

r) Grid connection 29

s) Community involvement and engagement 29

Appendix A: Electricity and heat generating capacity 30

Appendix B: Environment Agency Environmental Permitting Regulations 31

Appendix C: SW Environment Agency Anaerobic Digestion Guidance Note 33

Appendix D: EIA Screening Procedures Flow Chart 37

Appendix E: Anaerobic Digestion Template Conditions 39


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What is Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion is a natural process which converts organic matter such ashousehold food and garden waste, farm slurry, waste from food processing plants andsupermarkets, into energy. The main products resulting from anaerobic digestion arebiogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide), which is very similar to natural

gas, and digestate, a low level fertilizer. The biogas can be used to generateelectricity, gas or heat, or compressed for use as a biofuel. The fertiliser is rich innitrates and phosphates. The water industry has been using anaerobic digestion toconvert effluent into energy and fertiliser for many years. However, woody biomasscannot yet be used in anaerobic digestion because the micro-organisms are unable tobreakdown the lignin, the compound that gives wood its strength.

The outputs of anaerobic digestion therefore consist of:

• Biogas can be used to produce electricity in a generator or combusted toproduce heat. It can also be 'upgraded' by cleaning the biogas to remove theCO2 and contaminant gases, leaving pure methane which is often called bio-methane. Bio-methane is effectively renewable natural gas, so it can be putinto the National Grid to provide heat and power or compressed for use as arenewable road fuel.

• Digestate is the undigested remnants of the feedstocks that the bacteriacannot use and the remains of dead bacteria. It contains valuable plantnutrients like nitrogen, phosphate and potassium and organic humus, so it canbe spread on the land as a substitute for synthetic fertiliser sometimes referred

to as a biofertiliser.


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There is a wealth of detailed information available regarding what the anaerobicdigestion process is and its potential advantages. This document will provide web linksto recommended sites throughout the text but Cornwall Council can accept noresponsibility for the content of these websites.

The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) (www.adbiogas.co.uk/) and

The Official Source for Information on AD and Biogas (www.biogas-info.co.uk/) whichis supported by The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) provide moretechnical information with regards to the anaerobic digestion process. The RoyalInstitution for Chartered Surveyors has produced a comprehensive briefing paper onanaerobic digestion http://www.rics.org/site/download_feed.aspx?fileID=10037 .

Government Policy for Anaerobic Digestion

National policy for the management of waste is contained in Department for theEnvironment Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) Waste Strategy for England 2007 whichis supportive of anaerobic digestion and the generation of energy from waste,

particularly within farming where it can be used to manage manure and recognisesthe benefits of digestate produced from the process.

The Government Review of Waste Policy in England 20111 supports the principle ofthe Waste Hierarchy and indentifies Anaerobic Digestion as a positive solution forthe management of food waste.

The government published the Anaerobic Digestion Strategy and Action Plan

(http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/06/14/pb13541-anaerobic-digestion-strategy) in June 2011 demonstrating its support of anaerobic digestion technology asa means of waste management and heat/electricity generation throughout the UK.Produced jointly by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and TheDepartment for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This Action Planwas produced in close association with the anaerobic digestion industry and contains acomprehensive list of future actions.

National Planning Policy Framework2 Published in March 2012 the National Planning Policy Framework sets out theGovernment’s planning policies for England. The document provides a framework

1 http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/06/14/pb13540-waste-review/ 2 National Planning Policy Framework http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf


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within which local councils and communities can produce their own local andneighbourhood plans reflecting the needs and priorities for their area.

The National Planning Policy Framework does not contain specific waste policies, asnational waste planning policies will be published as part of a National WasteManagement Plan for England. Until that time Planning Policy Statement 10 (planning

for sustainable waste management) remains in place.

In terms of renewable and low carbon energy, the National Planning Policy Frameworkis supportive of a transition to a low carbon future and encourages the use ofrenewable resources. It goes on to state that local councils should plan for newdevelopment in locations and in a manner that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.Opportunities for developments to use energy from decentralised, renewable or lowcarbon energy supply and co-locating potential heat customers and suppliers shouldbe encouraged.

Planning Policy Statement 10: Planning for Sustainable Waste

Management3

(PPS10)Sets out the national planning policy for waste management and a key aim is toencourage more sustainable waste management by moving the management of wasteup the waste hierarchy, with disposal as a last resort. There is a need for a step-change in the way waste is handled and significant new investment in wastemanagement facilities. The planning system is pivotal to the adequate and timelyprovision of the new facilities needed. PPS10 also states that development controldecisions for waste management facilities should have regard to amenity andenvironmental impacts of developments.

Financial Incentives

There are various sources of financial incentives currently available to support thefuture growth of this fledging industry.

• The Feed In Tariff provides an income for 20 years for every Kilowatt/hourgenerated. This is subject to review(http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/Renewable_ener/feedin_tariff/feedin_tariff.aspx).

• The Renewable Heat Incentive(http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/incentive/incentive.aspx) was launched in March 2011. This provides an incomefor 20 years for every Kilowatt/hour of heat used external to the AD process.

•

The Renewable Obligation(http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/renew_obs/renew_obs.aspx ) provides income for larger AD plants of electricalgenerating capacity of 5 Megawatts or more and provides currently 2Renewable Obligation Certificates per megawatt hour of electricity produced.

• The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO)http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/sustainable/biofuels/rtfo provides income via aRenewable Transport Fuel certificate which can be claimed by a biofuel supplierfor every litre of fuel supplied to a road vehicle.

Cornwall Council Waste and Planning Policy

3 http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/planningpolicystatement10


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Cornwall Council has a statutory duty to collect and dispose of all municipal waste inCornwall (this includes domestic waste and certain waste arising from businesseswhere requested to do so).

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that for 12 months followingthe publication of the NPPF full weight may be given to relevant policies adopted since

2004 (in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004) evenwhere there is a degree of conflict. It also goes on to state that in other cases dueweight can be given to relevant policies in existing plans according to their degree ofconsistency with the NPPF going as far as to say that “the closer the policies in the

plan to the policies in the Framework, the greater the weight that may be given”.

However, the National Planning Policy Framework does not contain specific policiesrelating to waste and refers to the policies contained within Planning Policy Statement10. It is considered that ‘saved’ policy 6 (waste) of the Cornwall Structure Plan 2004is in broad conformity with the National Planning Policy Framework.

Planning policy for the Cornwall is currently being reviewed and a Local Plan (‘PlanningFuture Cornwall’) is being prepared; once adopted the Local Plan (‘Planning FutureCornwall’) will contain all the planning policies for Cornwall. Planning policies for wastewill consider how much additional provision should be made for recycling, energyrecovery and landfill.

Role of the Local Planning Authority All anaerobic digestion plants require planning consent. The Planning andRegeneration function of Cornwall Council is structured within different teams. TheLocal Planning Team prepares planning policy and the Development ManagementTeam deal with planning applications.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)Environmental Impact Assessment is a systematic process of identifying, predictingand evaluating the likelihood of significant effects of a development on theenvironment. In planning terms Environmental Impact Assessment has a specificconnotation and will need to be considered carefully in the development process. Inthose cases a formal ’Screening Opinion’ (see below) should be obtained from thelocal planning authority to confirm whether or not a proposed anaerobic digestionplant would need to be subject to Environmental Impact Assessment. Howeverwhether Environmental Impact Assessment is actually required will need to beevaluated on a case by case basis. If an Environmental Impact Assessment is requiredyou are advised to obtain a ‘Scoping Opinion’ from the local planning authority. ThisScoping Opinion will set out the detail and content that the Environmental Statementwould need to address when submitting any planning application. The case officer

PlanningTeam

Role in Renewable Energy Contact Details

[email protected]

Develops policy and guidanceacross Cornwall Tel: 0300 1234 151

StrategicDevelopmentManagement

Determines planningapplications for strategicdevelopment across Cornwall

[email protected] Tel: 0300 1234 151


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dealing with the Screening Opinion will be able to provide further assistance regardingthis matter.

Obtaining a ‘Screening Opinion’ from the local planning authority

The legislation covering Screening Opinions (the Environmental Impact Assessment

Regulations 2011) states that a request for a Screening Opinion in relation to anapplication for planning permission should be accompanied by:

(a) A plan sufficient to identify the land;(b) A brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its

possible effects on the environment; and(c) Such other information or representations as the person making the request

may wish to provide or make.

If an Environmental Impact Assessment is required a planning application will not bevalid, and hence not registered, until this information has been prepared and

accompanies the submission documents.

A flow chart of the Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Procedures and theScreening Decision can be seen in appendix D.

Role of the Environment AgencyIn addition environmental permits (see appendix B) are likely to be required beforethe anaerobic digestion plant can be brought into operation even when planningconsent has been obtained. These permits are controlled and issued by theEnvironment Agency (EA). This guidance has been produced with assistance from theEnvironment Agency and provides links to their relevant guidance with respect to the

permitting of anaerobic digestion facilities.

The Environment Agency cannot issue an environmental permit until the relevantplanning permission has been granted and the Environment Agency will always beconsulted as part of the planning application process.

It is therefore always advised to contact the Environment Agency([email protected] or telephone 01208 265060) at the verystart of any anaerobic digestion proposal to ensure that the plant will be able to obtainthe necessary permits to operate if planning consent were to be obtained.

Further detail on environmental permitting is available on the Environment Agencyhttp://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/Anaerobic_Digestion_and_Environmental_Permitting.pdf and the South West Environment Agency has produced the advice sheetcontained in appendix C which gives some basic starting guidance.

Applying for Planning PermissionPre-application discussions with the Local Planning AuthoritySince 31 January 2012 the Council has introduced a fee for its pre-application service,which allows the Council to improve its service and provide a more consistent level ofadvice within agreed response times. For proposals such as the types considered in

this guidance note, the Council strongly recommends that on going pre-applicationdiscussions take place, with the benefit of comments from key consultees. In order toprovide this service the Council recommends that a Planning Performance Agreement


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(PPA) is entered into. A PPA is a framework agreed between the Council, as the localplanning authority, and an applicant for the management of complex developmentproposals within the planning process. A PPA allows both the developer and theCouncil to agree a project plan and programme which will include the appropriateresources necessary to generally determine the planning application to a firmtimetable.

To find out more, you can view our Planning Performance Agreement charter4. TheCouncil is happy to have an initial no-cost discussion with developers about how a PPAcan assist a development project.

In order to facilitate pre application discussions it is recommended that developersprovide the following initial information to initial discussions:

• A location plan (1:1250 metric scale), • A site/block plan (1:500 metric scale), • Details of buildings proposed, including elevations, • Details of any ancillary works, • A supporting statement, including proposed electrical grid connection and

potential heat users.

Additional information may be required depending on the scale and location of theproposed development.

Planning Application FeeThe local planning authority will treat such facilities as ‘plant and machinery’ for thepurposes of fee categorisation, whereby £335 per 0.1ha will be charged if the sitearea (i.e. the area to be edged red) falls under 5 hectares. Where facilities exceed 5

hectares the planning application fee will be levied on the basis of £335 per 0.1ha, upto a ceiling of £16,565 for the first 5 hectares and then £100 for each additional 0.1hectare.

Example: Anaerobic Digestion facility comprising tanks, anaerobic digestion facilities,telemetry buildings and other equipment (total site area 0.5 hectares), proposedwithin a farm unit adjacent to a cluster of farm buildings, with access to the AD facilitygained by an existing farm entrance.

The fee for 0.5 hectares at £335 per 0.1 hectare comes to 5 x £335 = £1675.

There is no need to include the fixed £170 for the access road (whether it is new orexisting) since only the larger fee category is payable.

Planning application ‘red line’ and ‘blue line’.The planning application site boundary for ananaerobic digestion site should be delineated by a ‘redline’. This red line should encompass all developmentand land that requires planning permission. Howeverall land within the control or ownership of theapplicant should be shown and edged with a blue line.

4 Planning Performance Agreement charter http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/idoc.ashx?docid=a27ce252-36c7-4eef-b0f0-2b523355ee04&version=-1


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Issues to be considered in any Planning Applicationa) Landscape and Visual ImpactThe nature of the anaerobic digestion process usually involves the installation andoperation of infrastructure which is of an industrial nature typically consisting of fourtypes of structures;

• Storage for incoming feedstock

• The anaerobic digestion plant

• Electrical generating plant room

• Storage for digestate

Picture courtesy of WRAP and Lower Reule Farm

Anaerobic digestion plants have been developed in a variety of locations, includingestablished industrial estates, food processing facilities, waste water treatment worksand in association with agricultural units. Each location will present different designand landscaping challenges. Development proposed should generally reflect thecharacter and setting of the particular area and existing land uses, although iconicdesigns may be acceptable where it is considered that they do not detract from thecharacter of the local area. Development should aim to achieve a high standard ofdesign and landscaping and an understanding of the character of the Cornishlandscape is essential.

The context of the surrounding area needs to be taken into account in order to reflectthe local character in the final design and landscaping of the facility. Views of adevelopment will have a greater perceived impact in publicly accessible and residentialareas. In existing industrial or degraded areas, or areas with restricted public access,the impact will generally be less significant.

Different places have different ‘landscape character’. Landscape character is thedistinct, recognisable and consistent pattern of elements that occur in a particularlandscape and how these are perceived. It reflects particular combinations ofgeology, landform, soils, vegetation, land use and human settlement. Understandinga landscape’s character is key to ensuring new development can be accommodated

successfully within a landscape.

Landscape Character Areas in Cornwall


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The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Landscape Character Assessment (2007) records thevariations in landscape character across Cornwall, identifying 40 ‘Landscape CharacterAreas’ (LCAs). The character area information of any development site can beaccessed through the Cornwall Council web site atwww.cornwall.gov.uk/cornwall_landscape . The map below shows the variousLandscape Character Areas.

Cornwall is made up of a range of landscapes with a rich diversity of heritage andnatural assets – it is important to understand the character of the landscape and howdevelopment might affect this character. Once an understanding of the qualities ofthe existing landscape has been established it is then possible to determine thesensitivity of the landscape to change and whether the landscape has the capacity toaccept differing types of development.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Areas of high scenic quality within Cornwall are recognised through landscapedesignations. Landscapes of distinctive natural beauty are protected by Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) status.

The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is comprised of 12 discrete andseparate areas, including Bodmin Moor, the Camel Estuary and sections of the northand south coast and covers an area of 958 km2. The Tamar Valley Area of OutstandingNatural Beauty covers the Tamar Valley estuary and its inland rivers both in Cornwalland Devon. Over 30% of Cornwall is designated as an Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty, as indicated in the map below.


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The purpose of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designation is to conserve andenhance the natural beauty of the area. The designation gives formal recognition toan area’s landscape importance and allows for the development of communities andeconomic activity.

The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designation is not necessarily a constraint onrenewable energy development. Developments are encouraged provided that they donot have a significant adverse impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. TheCornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan5 sets out policies for

the management of the AONB. To find out if the proposed site is located within anAONB see http://www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk/whereisaonb.html.

Site Selection In order to minimise the landscape and visual impact of a proposed anaerobicdigestion facility the following points should be considered at the initial stages of siteidentification, layout and design;

• Avoid the most sensitive landscape areas where possible

• Choose a site that is naturally screened by virtue of existing topography ormature vegetation/trees

• Consider locations in association with main road corridors, business parks,railways etc as well as reclaimed, industrial and man-made landscapes whereother landscape sensitivities are not compromised

• Avoid locations which compromise important viewpoints especially at populartourist destinations or along scenic routes

• Appropriate design, colour, scale and texture of buildings (see section B) arevital to prevent adverse impact on landscape character

• Reduce the height of the proposed facility by excavation or partial burying

• Quality landscaping and boundary treatment (see section C) can reduce the

landscape and visual impact of the proposed development

5 http://www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk/management-plan/index.html


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Case Study 1:

Penare Farm, Fraddon, CornwallRef; NR08/00389/WSENV

BackgroundPenare Farm, owned and operated by EH and D Dymond and Son, is the largest pig farm inCornwall, with up to 1,000 breeding sows. The site occupies a rural location at Higher Fraddon,but within close proximity to a row of cottages. As a result of market and legislative pressuresthe site operators sought to sustain the farming enterprise with the provision of an anaerobicdigestion facility which would be used to co-treat approximately 14,000 tonnes per year of pigmanure and imported bakery/brewery waste. The proposed development involved the

construction of an access road, reception building, anaerobic digester, digestate storage tank,biofilter and associated landscaping. Gas produced in the digester would primarily be used forcombustion in a Combined Heat and Power unit to produce renewable electricity and heat,generating approximately 6,900MW hours per year of renewable electricity.

Issues & MitigationLandscape & Visual Impact

The application site involved a field adjacent to the existing piggery unit. The construction of theanaerobic digestion facility would involve considerable excavation works, a ‘cut and fill’operation enabling the facility to be partially set into the ground with surplus spoil being used toconstruct a landscaped screening mound. The scheme was designed to minimise operational

impacts on visual amenity and the landscape. A colour scheme was carefully selected to further

reduce the landscape and visual impact of proposed structures and a lighting scheme wasdesigned to avoid light spillage.

OdourDispersion modelling was undertaken to determine the potential for odour arisings. Thismodelling showed that the odour emissions from the existing pig farming operation were high

and that, once operational, the anaerobic digestion facility, with its enclosed digestion tanks andassociated biofilter, would have a beneficial impact on odours in the area and that, subject tothe adoption of an Odour Management Plan, there should be no significant issues.

HighwaysThe local highway network is of variable width and serves a number of residential properties inHigher Fraddon. While the width and alignment of the highway network was not ideally suited to

the development of a large scale anaerobic digestion facility it was apparent that, given theexisting and proposed traffic flows to the site, there would be a reduction in traffic movementsfor the site with an operational anaerobic digestion facility when compared with the currentsituation. A Construction Management Plan would identify particular peak construction episodesand local residents would be kept informed in order to minimise the impact on their amenity.

Case updatePlanning permission for the anaerobic digestion facility at Penare Farm was granted in March

2009. The planning permission has yet to be implemented although preliminary demolitionworks and site clearance has been undertaken in advance of the development. An extension oftime application has been submitted and is awaiting determination. .


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b) Design of BuildingsDesign is a key consideration when choosing the setting and layout of an anaerobicdigestion facility. It is important that any adverse visual impact is minimised and that,where practicable, such development should make a positive contribution, inlandscape and visual terms, to a locality.

The industrial nature of the anaerobic digestion process dictates the scale and shapeof the associated buildings, however, if sensitively located and designed withappropriate finishes and colours, the plant need not be unattractive. The localplanning authority would expect to see high design standards applied to any proposedanaerobic digestion plant including;

• The colour and external finish of any new plant/buildings should complimentany existing buildings.

• If located adjacent to existing farm buildings, the new buildings should havesimilar profile roofing/cladding and use sympathetic colours such as greys andgreens.

• If located in an urban/industrial area there may be scope for a more iconicdesign that could enhance the area rather than copy existing designs.

• Where feasible reuse/convert existing buildings to accommodate the anaerobicdigestion process, including the generator plant room.

• The scale and heights of anaerobic digestion plant should, where possible, becomparable with nearby buildings.

• The use of quality materials and finishes will not only improve the appearanceof anaerobic digestion plant but will reduce future maintenance costs andensure buildings will not become dishevelled in the near future.

• Design solutions should be sensitive to the locality.Holsworth anaerobic digestion facility in Devon. The colour scheme adopted to reduce visualimpact.

Planning Application Information Requirement ChecklistThe Local Planning Authority expects the following details to be included with any

planning application;• A location plan (1:1250 metric scale),• A site/block plan (1:500 metric scale),


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• Photomontage of plant building and stack,• Details of any buildings proposed,• A design and access statement.

c) Landscaping and Boundary Treatment of Site

The use of appropriate landscaping can alter the near and distant views of ananaerobic digestion facility. Depending on the location of the plant issues of sitesecurity may be a priority or preventing livestock entering could also be important.Any application would need to justify these issues and propose solutions. The Councilexpects the following guidance to be considered in the preparation of any planningapplication;

• Where ground needs to be excavated the material that is removed could beused as bunding to provide a natural boundary or screening for the buildingsor structures;

• If excavated material is not suitable, or not needed for bunding, its reused or

recycled;• Bunding can be planted with locally indigenous trees and bushes to provide

additional appropriate screening and weather protection;

• Where planting is proposed a schedule of plant species/heights/spacing andmaintenance should be submitted with any planning application;

• Where livestock is likely to be adjacent to the anaerobic digestion facility anyhedging or fencing should be similar to that found in the locality;

• Cornish hedging is encouraged but it should be of the local style appropriateto that part of Cornwall and be built of the correct stone. Cornwall Council hasproduced The Cornish Building Stone and Slate Guide6 which will help locate

local stone;

• If located on an industrial site fencing and/or boundary walls should be of ascale and type suitable to that location;

• Fencing and/or boundary walls should be constructed of quality materials thatrequire little future maintenance and, where appropriate, these should be rustprotected to prevent becoming unsightly in the future;

• The use of electrified fencing or barbed wire or similar would not normally besupported.

Planning Application Information Requirement Checklist

The Local Planning Authority expects the following details to be included with anyplanning application;

• Schedule of planning including species, heights, spacing and maintenancewhere planting is proposed;

• Information on the type of landscaping proposed;

• Details of any boundary fencing, hedging or walling.

d) Traffic Movements and Access to SiteThe construction and operation of an anaerobic digestion facility may generate

significant vehicle movements and there is a need to ensure that the local highway

6 http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/idoc.ashx?docid=8e16a1e4-0309-4831-90d5-94444fe893ed&version=-1


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network and site access is able to accommodate the type and number of vehiclemovements. A traffic management plan may need to be prepared in order to avoidunnecessary local traffic disruption. The traffic management plan should seek toinclude measures such as:

• Avoidance of HGV deliveries during local peak/school traffic periods;• Temporary traffic management systems for site access;• Reduced speed limits on all identified routes to reduce potential of traffic

accidents.

The site entrance and access onto the public highway should be carefully designedand constructed to provide safe access and egress to the site. It is essential to takeadvice from the county highways officer regarding such matters. A planningapplication may need to be accompanied by a Traffic Assessment. Important issues toconsider within a Traffic Assessment are:

• Avoiding sensitive areas, such as residential access roads if possible;• The width, gradient and distance from other junctions and road features;

• The speed limits;• Current (surveyed) and predicted traffic flows on the public highway, including

predicted daily movements to and from the site, broken down by vehicle types,over the length of a working day.

These will affect the visibility splays and length of sight lines required.

Additionally the local planning authority would expect the following to be considered:

• The use, or widening, of an existing site/field access should be consideredwhere appropriate and aiming to achieve a high standard of accesscommensurate with the character and style of the local area;

• All vehicles leaving the site shall have clean wheels to avoid spreading of mudor debris on the highway and therefore a wheel wash facility may be required,with good drainage and maintenance features, located at the side of the siteaccess road at least 30m from the junction with the public highway. The siteaccess road should be hard surfaced and sweepable between the wheel washand the public highway. The site access should, where possible, be designed toavoid surface water flowing out onto the public highway;

• Adequate visibility splays onto the highway for traffic entering and leaving thesite;

•

Avoid vehicle movements, especially HGVs, at critical times such as local schoolopening and closing times, special local events such as carnivals or sportingmatches;

• Voluntary reduced speed limits of lorries on all identified known dangerousroutes to reduce potential of traffic accidents;

• Where abnormal loads need to be brought to the site a traffic management planmay need to be produced. The Council provides advice for the movement ofabnormal loads and should be contacted via [email protected];

• Signage directing traffic to and from the site from the main routes should beagreed in advance with the Council’s Highway officers before the construction

and operation of the site to avoid lorries travelling on unsuitable roads atinappropriate times such as school pick-up period;


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• Signage to be designed and located so as not to be visually intrusive in the localarea especially if in a designated landscape.

Planning Application Information Requirement ChecklistThe Local Planning Authority expects the following details to be included with anyplanning application;

• Traffic assessment.


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Case Study 2;

Sharp’s Brewery Limited,

Rock, CornwallRef: 10/00024/WAS

BackgroundThe Sharp’s Brewery is located on a small trading estate, Pityme Business Centre,approximately 1km north east of Rock and within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. TheBrewery was founded in 1994 and has become one of the largest cask beer brewers in the

South West. Effluent from the brewing process was predominantly pumped to the mainsewer, applying pressure on the sewerage network and incurring cost to the company. TheBrewery therefore proposed the installation of an anaerobic waste water treatment plant,

treating their effluent to a high standard before discharge to a South West Water facility. Theprocess would generate methane, which would be harnessed and used as a renewable energysource within the boiler which serves the brewing process. The development would involvethe installation of an anaerobic digester tank, plant building, biogas flare and associated

landscaping..

Issues & MitigationLandscape & Visual Impact

The construction of a large structure within the Camel Estuary Area of Outstanding Natural

Beauty required careful design and consideration. The proposed anaerobic digester would beincorporated on a previously developed parking area, located within the Sharp’s Brewery unit

and set against a background of existing commercial buildings and silos. The proposedstructure would also be finished in a moss green colour to further minimise the visual andlandscape impact and additional landscape screening would be added to the site.

OdourThe anaerobic digestion process involves the digestion of waste by bacteria and has thepotential to cause odour. The digester tank itself would be sealed and maintained undernegative pressure in order to prevent the release of odours and good management of thefacility should ensure that malodours do not arise and potentially prejudice neighbouringamenity.

NoiseWith any item of plant there is the potential for noise. In this instance noise could begenerated from the anaerobic digester, biogas blower or biogas flare. However, the anaerobictreatment plant and ancillary development has been carefully designed and sited to safeguard

against noise impacts. In the absence of specific noise data a precautionary approach wasadopted by attaching a noise condition to the planning permission which restricted noiselevels from the site. Consequently it was considered that neighbouring amenity would not be

adversely affected by noise from the proposal.

Case updatePlanning permission for the anaerobic digestion facility at Sharp’s Brewery was granted in

May 2010. The facility has been constructed and is now operational.


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e) Vehicle Movement and Parking on SiteThe site has to function internally whilst not causing any external vehicle problems inthe local area and therefore the following issues need to be addressed by the operatorof the anaerobic digestion facility:

• Suitable parking spaces and manoeuvring areas within the site for operational,employees and visitors vehicles;

• Adequate vehicle turning and manoeuvring arrangements within the site duringplant operation;

• Waiting area for feedstock lorries within site to prevent lorries “stacking” up andhaving to queue or park on the public highway causing a potential hazard;

• Schedule of lorry movements and type of activity for 24 hour period on site tobe submitted with any planning application to ensure no adverse impact onneighbouring uses particularly at night and early morning.


planning application;• Traffic management plan including a schedule of vehicle movements and

activities over a 24 hour period on site,• Site plan showing transport management including vehicle turning and

manoeuvring areas.

f) Emissions, Odour and Air Quality The delivery and storage of feedstock, the anaerobic digestion process and theremoval and storage of digestate can all potentially contribute to unacceptable odourand air quality around the site if not properly managed.

Odour ControlThe control of odours starts with routine maintenance of plant and equipment; andlocating sources of odour as far as practicable from the site boundary and anysensitive receptors. An Odour Management Plan should be prepared for any site with asignificant risk of odorous emissions. This Odour Management Plan formalisesoperative training and procedures e.g. correct use of plant/process/materials; checkson plant performance, maintenance and inspection.

Dust ControlDust can potentially be a significant issue at waste management sites because of itspossible effects on human health and also the nuisance that it can cause. Dust is

defined as particulate matter less than 63 microns in diameter. Particles with adiameter less than 10 microns (known as PM10) have the potential to travel thefurthest distance. The sometimes dry and often windy climate of Cornwall mayexacerbate dust issues. However, the careful design and operation of an anaerobicdigestion facility can prevent significant dust impacts arising.

One of the principle mechanisms for reducing the generation of dust is to operatewithin a negative pressure building. This means that air is drawn into the building,especially into areas where the waste is handled, which minimises the risk of dustproblems.

Dust can also be generated from the passage of vehicles. The cleanliness of siteaccess roads and, where appropriate, wheel washing facilities and thesheeting/containment of vehicles can minimise the generation of dust.


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• How feedstock is sealed on delivery vehicles to minimise the release orescape of odour;

• Type(s) of feedstock being used and its source,

• How are all buildings sealed and ventilated,

• Is a negative pressure system being used within the buildings,

• When feedstock is being transferred to reception building is the buildingsealed and how is that building ventilated,

• Method of feedstock being passed to anaerobic digestion plant,

• Method of digestate being extracted from anaerobic digestion plant andstored for future use,

•

Mitigation methods to prevent odour from stored digestate causingunacceptable smell in the surrounding area particularly if there areresidential properties in the vicinity.

• Method of process to remove digestate from site and how and where it is tobe used.

• Monitoring regime to ensure odour control is always in place when theanaerobic digestion plant is operational.

• What measures and storage capacity exist for periods of unscheduled failureof the anaerobic digestion plant.

• Back up plan if odour control fails or does not prevent unacceptable smellseffecting persons outside of the site.

g) Pest ControlThe careful design and operation of an anaerobic digestion facility can significantlyreduce any nuisance which may be caused by the presence of flies, vermin and birds.The design and operation of an anaerobic digestion facility should be undertaken in amanner which facilitates and promotes all unloading, processing and loading of waste,feedstock and residue within a controlled environment and minimises the time thatwaste is left unprocessed. There should be regular inspections and treatment by pestcontrol specialists. Rodenticides and insecticides can also be used as well as gratescovering drainage systems to prevent rodents entering buildings.

Organic waste, if stored in the open, will attract a variety of insects, birds and animalsdepending on the time of the year. Organic waste should therefore be stored insealed areas.


• Details of the manner of sealing of lorries and waste containers in order toprevent the spillage of materials and escape of odour during transit and whilst

on site to prevent attracting vermin.

• Details of sealing methods on all vehicular and pedestrian entrances to allbuildings associated with the anaerobic digestion process.


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• The methods of vermin/pest control in place during anaerobic digestion plantoperation and servicing periods.

• The monitoring and reporting regime to ensure pest control is effective.

• Details of the cleaning practices and facilities for vehicles especially feedstockand digestate carrying lorries leaving the site.

• General refuse arrangements and storage facilities for all activities on the site.

h) NoiseA typical anaerobic digestion plant will operate on a 24 hours, 7 days of the weekbasis. Such operational hours/days have the potential to cause unacceptable impacton sensitive receptors such as residential properties or schools particularly at night orearly morning. The major source of noise will be from lorry movements both enteringand leaving the site and unloading of feedstock and removal of digestate. Themechanical noise from the anaerobic digestion process will normally be limited to thatof electric motors driving pumps and ventilation systems and, if properly maintained

and sound proofed, should not normally cause a noise complaint. If applicable thefollowing measures could reduce any potential noise impact;

• All operations to be undertaken within closed buildings.

• Buildings designed to reduce internal noise transmission.

• All plant to be designed with noise reduction measures such as external motorshoused in sound proofed covers.

• Site designed with acoustic barriers such as bunding, planting and fencing.

• All vehicles servicing the site be properly maintained especially includingexhaust systems.

• Vehicle reversing warning systems to be visual rather than audible when on siteif close to sensitive noise receptors.

• Noise monitoring regime in place if sensitive receptors such as housing arepresent.


• A plan identifying the location of the proposed anaerobic digestion facility, with

respect to noise-sensitive receptors;• A table, detailing the separation distance between the proposed anaerobic

digestion facility and noise-sensitive receptors;• Noise emission data for the proposed anaerobic digestion facility;• Auditable predictions to determine noise levels arising from the anaerobic

digestion facility at the closest noise-sensitive receptors;• Noise assessment.

i) Security Fencing/LightingApplicants will be expected to direct considerable effort towards minimising thelandscape/visual impact of an anaerobic digestion facility. Whilst there is an

acknowledged need to ensure that such facilities are adequately secured it would beunfortunate if such security measures resulted in an unacceptable landscape/visualimpact. Applicants should:


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• minimise the use and height of security fencing;• utilise existing features, such as Cornish hedges or landscaping, to screen

security fencing;• use natural features, such as vegetation planting, to assist in site security; and• minimise the use of security lighting. Any lighting such utilise a passive infra-

red (PIR) technology and should be designed and installed in a manner whichminimises glare, light pollution and impacts on biodiversity, in particular bats(see ecology section).

A lighting scheme needs to comply with current Health and Safety Regulations and,increasingly, take account of the need to reduce light pollution. Light pollution is anyform of artificial light which shines outside the area it needs to illuminate, includinglight that is directed above the horizontal into the night sky creating sky glow (whichimpedes our views of the stars), or which creates a danger by glare. The Health &Safety at Work Act requires that all ‘electrical installations’ are subject to a routinemaintenance programme.

Planning permission is required for lighting if it alters the material appearance of abuilding. Local authorities consider lighting as part of the planning process for newbuildings, and can regulate lighting under planning permission, setting planningobligations for lighting to prevent light pollution. Lighting strategies should bedesigned to provide the necessary security while avoiding adverse impacts. Wherepossible, light should be subtle to enhance the buildings and structures and reducethe impact of operational light sources. Use of low energy lighting should also be aconsideration. There is also potential ecological disturbance caused by light pollution,such as disturbance of bird species.

For security, operational and general health and safety requirements lighting will berequired on all anaerobic digestion plants. Depending on the location (rural or urbanarea) and/or the neighbours the issue of light spillage from the site will be moresensitive in some locations than others. However it is good practise to reduce lightpollution and reduce energy consumption by only using lighting when required. TheInstitution of Lighting Engineers7 provides guidance on reducing obtrusive light (lightpollution).

The following lighting measures should be considered:

• Where possible, selected lighting circuits will be operated on timer switches /motion detectors to enable lower levels of lighting outside of normal operating

hours or when lighting is not required;• The design of this lighting will be undertaken to ensure that light is directed

downwards towards the ground so as to avoid unnecessary light spill and lighttrespass off site;

• Avoid permanent lighting on edge of site particularly at access points that frontthe public highway;

• Use of planting and bunding to contain lighting effects;• Review of lighting impacts after installation;• No distraction to the public highway;• Ensure no dwellings are impacted by light source from site.


7 http://www.theilp.org.uk/uploads/Guidance%20Notes-Light%20Pollution-2011.pdf


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• A plan identifying the extent and design (including maximum height) of anyfencing proposed;

• A plan showing the location and height of any external lighting proposed, and

the days/hours when such lighting would be illuminated.

j) Agriculture The quality of agricultural land varies throughout England and is defined by theAgricultural Land Classification (ALC) system. This is a method of classifying land intofive grades (Grade 3 is sub-divided into grades 3a and 3b). The 'best and mostversatile' agricultural land is defined as grades 1, 2 and 3a by Government policy. Thisis the land which is most flexible, productive and efficient.

Approximately 10% of the agricultural land in Cornwall is considered to be of a qualityregarded as 'best and most versatile' agricultural land. By comparison it is estimated

that in England over 40% of farmland is considered to be 'best and most versatile'agricultural land. Therefore, it is apparent that, high grade agricultural land is scarcerin Cornwall than in many other parts of England. The proposed development of ananaerobic digestion facility should therefore avoid higher grade agricultural land wherepossible and any application for development affecting agricultural land should providedetails about the impact of the development on that land including any mitigationmeasures and reclamation proposals.

Any application involving agricultural land should give consideration at the designstage to the stripping and storage of soils (see section K).

Planning Application Information Requirement ChecklistIf the application site is currently in agricultural use the local planning authorityexpects the following information to be submitted with any planning application;

• An Agricultural Land Classification study, showing the grade of agricultural landwhich would be affected by the proposed development. Where the affected landis ‘best and most versatile’ agricultural land (grades 1, 2 and 3a) an explanationshould be provided detailing why the development needs to be located on thesite and not on land of a lesser agricultural classification within the agriculturalunit.

k) Soil Stripping, Storage and ReplacementFor the development of anaerobic digestion plants and the associated infrastructure,such as lagoons, the soil will not normally be used on the site again unless suitable forbunding (see section C). The anaerobic digestion plant will be a permanent facility andtherefore soil that needs to be removed should be stored or reused in an appropriateway.

If soil is to be stored it is best to avoid putting soil into store during winter months asthe soil could be too wet to be handled without being damaged. The storage pilesshould have slope angles between 25° and 45°, be sited on dry ground, not in hollowsand should not disrupt local surface drainage. Large areas may be required for storageand this area will increase with the number of different separately stored soil types.Soil should only be stored upon soil of the same type, therefore subsoil piles requiretopsoil to be removed before tipping for example. A soil storage mound should beshaped to shed water before rainfall occurs. Space should be available between the


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boundary and the soil piles to ensure access for maintenance, and for drainagemeasures. Soil piles should be covered with light coloured, weighted down, tarpaulinswhich will reduce both water absorption and the amount of viable seeds of weeds.


planning application;• Details of any soil stripping, movement, storage and replacement.

l) Water Management Although Cornwall is known for its temperate, maritime climate some of the steepvalleys and lowland areas are subject to flash floods. Groundwater is a vital elementof the natural water cycle which helps to sustain rivers and wetlands in times ofdrought, and is a source for some of our drinking water. Cornwall has no majoraquifers but water can be abstracted from groundwater sources for private watersupplies.

Pollution from the surface can take a long time to travel through the ground to reachgroundwater, however, once polluted, it is difficult to remediate. The location of ananaerobic digestion facility needs to be considered in terms of its impact on surfaceand groundwater as well as potential risks from flooding.

Climate change over the next few decades is likely to result in different weatherpatterns and conditions in the UK. In addition, sea levels are expected to rise. Thesefactors may lead to increased and new risks of flooding within the lifetime of plannedanaerobic digestion developments and this may need to be considered as part of FloodRisk Assessment.

Therefore the proposed location of an anaerobic digestion plant must consider thefollowing factors;

• The distances from the boundary of the site to residential and recreationalareas, waterways, water bodies and other agricultural or urban sites.

• The existence of groundwater, coastal water or nature protection zones in thearea.

• The geological or hydro-geological conditions in the area.• The risk of flooding or subsidence on the site.



• A Flood Risk Assessment containing appropriate information appropriate to thescale and location of the proposed development.

• Detail of how any foul water and surface water drainage arising from theproposed development would be managed.

m) Public Rights of WayPublic rights of way include footpaths, bridleways and byways open to all traffic. Thereare 4,357km (2,706 miles) of public rights of way in Cornwall including 491km (305

miles) of South West Coast Path.


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Cornwall Nature Conservation (County Wildlife Site). The National Planning PolicyFramework states that valued landscapes should be protected and enhanced andadverse impacts on the local and natural environment should be minimised. It alsogoes on to state that protection should be commensurate with the designations statusand the contribution it makes to wider ecological networks. The National PlanningPolicy Framework also notes that planning permissions should be refused if significant

harm on biodiversity resulting from the development cannot be mitigated orcompensated.

The map below shows Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area(SPA) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) within Cornwall.

The information to be submitted with a planning application will need to demonstrate,through an ecological assessment that no harm would be caused to such sites. Wherepotential impacts cannot be avoided any mitigation measures proposed should beclearly outlined. This may present an opportunity for habitat enhancement and/orhabitat re-creation which could be set out in a habitat management plan.

The ‘Biological and Geological Conservation: Planning Good Practice Guidance forCornwall (2007)8’ provides advice on how to take account of biodiversity andgeodiversity in the development process. It also sets out legal requirements and goodpractice recommendations.

Provision of adequate data, surveys (completed at the appropriate time of the year)and where possible avoidance of sites containing protected species/habitats will helpreduce the time required to determine any planning application. Some of theseecological surveys can only be undertaken at specific times of the year (e.g. when theanimal is active and not dormant). The chart below, provided by CornwallEnvironmental Consultants Ltd, outlines the seasons when particular surveys should,and should not, be undertaken.

8 http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/idoc.ashx?docid=0bb84ae2-8fbe-4b3f-a4cd-4709dd3bc42b&version=-1


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Source: Cornwall Environmental Consultants Ltd

Careful consideration should be given to the seasonality of ecological surveys as theneed to undertake a particular survey can have a significant impact on thepreparation, submission and determination of a planning application.

Impacts of the development on ecology can be mitigated by;• Retaining key ecological features within the site design. Features should be

large enough to be self-sustaining or linked to similar habitats outside thedevelopment e.g. by hedgerows,

• Constructing of wildlife features such as bunding, screening and wildlife-prooffences,

• Rescuing or translocation of individual plants or animals to an alternative site,• Restoring the site once development has ceased,• Enhancing existing habitats or the creation of new habitats on land set aside for

that purpose, or on land outside the proposed development.


• The ecological impact of the proposed development on the development site,and any nearby designated areas of special ecological interest, should beaddressed.

p) Historic EnvironmentThe potential impact of an anaerobic digestion plant on Cornwall’s cultural heritage(listed buildings, Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, World Heritage Site,registered Historic Landscapes and Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest) can

be defined in two ways;1. Direct physical impact or loss of identified features of historic interest including

undiscovered archaeology.


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2. Visual impact on the character or appearance and setting of features ofhistoric interest.

Anaerobic digestion plants may cause direct impacts on archaeological depositsthrough ground disturbance associated with trenching, foundations, fencing, newaccess routes etc. Generally sites should be located away from known archaeologicalsites as recorded on the Cornwall Historic Environment Record – these can be located

online using http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/advanced_search.aspx

Where planning applications are received within known archaeologically sensitivelocations, the Council is likely to seek professional archaeological monitoring of groundworks as a condition of any planning permission.

Anaerobic digestion plants should normally be located away from ScheduledMonuments and from sites or areas where they would affect the character or settingof a Listed Building.

Visual impacts on historic sites may include the effects of such development on the

setting of Listed Buildings and Scheduled Monuments as well as on the HistoricLandscape Character of Cornwall. Assessment of such impacts may be more involvedthan simply noting the presence of such assets on or close to a proposed site –consultation with the relevant area Historic Environment advice teams is essential.Photomontages and Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) will inform this advice.

The landscape/visual impact must be considered with great care at the pre-applicationstage, where appropriate the Council’s Landscape Architects and the HistoricEnvironment Service should be consulted at an early stage and mitigation measuresproposed wherever necessary.

Existing Cornish hedges and established vegetation, including mature trees, should beretained wherever possible. Trees and hedges should be protected duringconstruction. Additional hedge planting should be considered where such landscapescreening would beneficially screen the proposed development.

Cornwall has an especially important historic environment and there are 12,500 ListedBuildings within Cornwall (details of these buildings may be found athttp://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2441 ). There are also 145Conservation Areas in Cornwall covering 4070 hectares of land. These areas havebeen designated due to their special architectural or historic interest and theinstallation of anaerobic digestion plants in, or near, such areas should therefore be

considered sensitively. In addition over 5% of Cornwall is designated as a WorldHeritage Site (WHS). The World Heritage Site is designated for its mining heritage.The World Heritage Site is not necessarily a constraint on renewable energydevelopment; however such development within, or adjacent to, the World HeritageSite must be designed and installed in a manner which does not harm the values ofthe site. To find out if you are in any of these areas please visithttp://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=17724 on the Council website.


• An archaeological assessment is required for sites which may have an impacton any site of known or suspected archaeological interest.


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• An assessment is also required where any proposal may have an impact on thecharacter or setting of a Listed Building, Conservation Area, ScheduledMonument or World Heritage Site.

q) Grid Connection

Application proposals should provide a broad indication of the route of connectivity tothe electrical grid. Such details are not strictly necessary in order for any planningapplication to be validated or registered but this information is required to confirmthat such connectivity would avoid areas of high ecological, landscape orarchaeological sensitivity.


• Details of how the facility would connect to the electrical grid network andwhether such connection would be above or below ground. Such works do not

need to be encapsulated within the planning application boundary, or planningfee, but such details should be provided for information purposes.

r) Community Involvement and Engagement

Community involvement and engagement should be considered as an integral part ofthe development process. The extent of this engagement will depend upon the size,nature and location of the proposed development although developers are advised todiscuss their proposal with neighbours and nearby residents at the pre-design,conceptual stage in order to allow any views to be taken into account prior to thesubmission of a formal planning application.

The use of interpretation and display boards, such as these examples at Delabole Wind Farm and the Wheal Jane Solar Farm, to explain thepurpose and function of an anaerobic digestion plant and raise awareness about renewable energy and waste management is somethingthat developers may wish to consider.


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Appendix A: Electricity and heat generating capacity

Planning applications for anaerobic digestion facilities should be accompanied by thefollowing information.

Installedcapacity(kW) 1

Capacityfactor 2

Estimatedannualproduction(kWh p.a.) 3

Number ofresidentialpropertieselectricityequivalent 4

HeatGeneratingCapacity

Notes:

1 Installed capacity is the full-load, continuous rating of generating equipment underspecific conditions as designated by the manufacturer. In other words, this is thepower generated when the equipment is working at full capacity.

2 Capacity factor is the calculated factor which compares the plant's actual productionover a given period of time with the amount of power the plant would have producedif it had run at full capacity for the same amount of time. The capacity factor shouldtake account of the specific equipment and the specific location. It is expressed as apercentage.

3 Estimated annual production of electricity based upon the installed capacity and the

capacity factor.

4 Number of residential properties that would be powered by the estimated annualproduction based upon the U.K. average household consumption of 4,629KWh/year, the South West England average household consumption of 4,993KWh/year and the Cornwall average household consumption of 5,869 KWh/year(DECC 2007). The number of U.K., SW and Cornwall household equivalent shouldbe provided in this box. Average electricity consumption in Cornwall is currentlygreater than the U.K. and SW average and so the number of typical residentialproperties in Cornwall powered by a particular source would be lower.


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Appendix B: Environment Agency Environmental Permitting Regulations

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING

The anaerobic digestion of waste must be undertaken in accordance with either an

Environmental Permit or lawful exemption from the need to hold a permit.

Exemptions

The exemption for on-farm anaerobic digestion allows the receipt of plant tissue waste

and horse and farmyard manure only, provided the total quantity of waste treated or

stored at any one time does not exceed 1,250m3, the minimum retention time in the

digester is 28 days and any biogas is burnt in an appliance with a net rated thermal

input of less than 0.4MW for the purposes of producing energy.

The exemption for off-farm anaerobic digestion allows the receipt of plant tissue

waste, horse and farmyard manure, paper and cardboard, biodegradable kitchen and

canteen waste, animal tissue waste, some dairy and baking wastes and biodegradable

waste from markets, provided the total quantity of waste treated or stored at any one

time does not exceed 50m3, the minimum retention time in the digester is 28 days

and any biogas is burnt in an appliance with a net rated thermal input of less than

0.4MW for the purposes of producing energy.

Standard Rules Environmental Permit

A Standard Rules Environmental Permit maybe the best option available for sites that

are too large to meet the terms of an exemption but can still comply with a strict set

of criteria set by the Environment Agency.

A Standard Rules Environmental Permit for on-farm anaerobic digestion can be

applied to farm sites where the total quantity of waste does not exceed 75,000 tonnes

per annum, the anaerobic digestion facility and gas engines are not within 500m of

important nature sites (known as Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of

Conservation and RAMSAR Sites). All waste storage and treatment must not be within

10m of any watercourse or 250m of any spring, well or borehole used for domestic or

food production purposes. Biogas must be burnt in an appliance with a net rated

thermal input of less than 3MW. Permitted waste types comprise sludges, plant tissuewaste and manure from agriculture, horticulture, forestry and fishing and some

wastes from the dairy products industry.

A Standard Rules Environmental Permit for off-farm anaerobic digestion can be

applied to sites that meet a similar set of criteria to those for on-farm Standard Rules

activities, except that the distance to any off site building used by the public must be

250m or greater. There is a significantly greater range of permitted waste types under

off-farm Standard Rules.


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A Standard Rules Environmental Permit requires the site to be operated in accordance

with a Management System and Accident Risk Assessment that meet Environment

Agency requirements.

Bespoke Environmental Permit Application

Where a site or anaerobic digestion/biogas combustion activities cannot comply withan exemption or Standard Rules, a Bespoke Environmental Permit will be required.

A Bespoke Environmental Permit Application should be supported by completing and

submitting a quantitative risk assessment, known as H1 Environmental Risk

Assessment, which requires quantification of emissions to all environmental media

(air, land and water) and any impacts that may result.

The application must also include a Non Technical Summary and a Management Plan,

which details the environmental management systems to be used by the operator, a

description of the techniques used to control pollution, waste acceptance and handling

procedures, site protection and monitoring programme, accident risk assessment and

noise assessment. A Best Available Techniques Assessment, air dispersion modelling

and or noise calculations may be required to support the application, depending up on

the circumstances.


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Appendix C: SW Environment Agency Anaerobic Digestion Guidance Note


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Appendix D: Screening Procedures Overview


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Appendix E: Anaerobic Digestion Template Planning Conditions

Please note that these template planning conditions are provided forinformation purposes only. This list of planning conditions is not intended tobe exhaustive and Cornwall Council reserves the right to amend theseconditions, or impose additional planning conditions, as required by any

specific planning application.

Commencement1. The development hereby approved shall be begun not later than the expiration ofthree years beginning with the date of this permission.

Control of Development2. Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Waste Planning Authority (WPA), orrequired by further conditions below, the development shall take place in strictaccordance with the submitted details and following drawings and details:-Drawing XXX (Site layout)Drawing XXX (Tank and plant room)

Working Hours (Construction Period)3. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the WPA, no construction works shall takeplace except between the following hours:-Between 0800 and 1800 Monday to Fridays inclusive.Between 0800 and 1300 SaturdaysThere shall be no working on Sundays, Bank Holidays or Public Holidays.

Access and Highway Matters4. Best practicable means shall be employed at all times to ensure that vehiclesleaving the site during construction and operational periods and which enter the publichighway are in a condition such as not to emit dust or deposit mud, slurry or otherdebris.

Amenity Protection (General)5. All practicable means shall be employed by the operators for preventing orminimising the emission of odour and noise during the approved use of the site. Theword ‘practicable’ and the phrase ‘practicable’ means in this condition shall have themeaning assigned to it in Section 79(9) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (asdefined under 2. in the informatives). Vehicles, plant and machinery operating withinthe site shall be maintained and fitted with silencers in accordance withmanufacturers’ specification at all times.

Amenity Protection (Lighting)6. There shall be no lighting of the approved development areas except in accordancewith details to be agreed in writing with the WPA. Any approved lighting shall bepositioned so as not to cause glare or annoyance to local residents.

Noise Control (Specific)7. The rating noise level from the approved development shall not exceed a level of30dB at the noise sensitive receptors closest to the site. Rating noise level andbackground noise level shall be determined in accordance with the guidance presentedin British Standard 4142:1997- ‘Method for rating industrial noise affecting mixed

residential and industrial areas’. The noise emissions from the site may be measurednear the site and extrapolated to the receptor locations using normal acoustic


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calculation methods. The methods and noise emission data shall be stated in anymonitoring scheme.

Noise Monitoring8. A Noise Monitoring Scheme shall be submitted to and be approved in writing by theWPA prior to the development becoming operational and all monitoring shall be

undertaken in accordance with the approved Noise Monitoring Scheme.

Landscaping9. Within 3 months from the date of this permission the operators shall havesubmitted to and had approved by the WPA:-….. Details of proposed bunding (height, width and gradient);…...Details for protection of planting from wildlife;….. Details of native hedgerow mix including species, density and size;Failure of any planting within the first five years must be replaced. All planting mustbe completed within the first growing season following completion of works.

Amenity Protection (Visual)10. Prior to the operation of the waste water treatment plant, the operators shall havepainted all the structures and machinery in accordance with the detailed plans.Thereafter the structures shall be maintained in this colour for the duration of thisauthorisation.

Site Restoration11. Within 3 months from the cessation of the development hereby approved, theapplicant shall have submitted for approval in writing by the WPA, a scheme for theremoval of all buildings, structures, hard-standings, plant and machinery, roadways,fencing or other structures and equipment brought onto or erected on the land for thepurposes of the development. The scheme shall include details of restoration and atimescale for completion. The scheme shall be fully implemented within 3 months ofthe date of approval.

Documents

Renewable Energy Planning Guidance