Plans for anaerobic digestion facility in Wragby given green light

Future Biogas applied to East Lindsey District Council to build the facility, alongside an office, access and associated infrastructure, on land west of the B1202 on Wragby Road, Wragby.

Members of the district council’s planning committee approved the application, subject to conditions, at a meeting on Thursday, December 4.

Anaerobic digestion generates energy by breaking down organic matter, creating biogas which can be pumped into the national gas grid.

Lorries would be used to transport a variety of locally farmed crops to the anaerobic digester.

Applicant Philipp Lukas, chief executive of Future Biogas, said: “We already work with 400 farmers across the east of England and our reputation, both locally and nationally is very high amongst our farming communities and amongst our local communities at our existing plants.

“I wanted to say to you today that I think this represents an opportunity for local farmers to transition to more regenerative and sustainable practices, adding profitable options into rotation whilst improving the health and resilience of their soils, at the same time as making enough green gas and injecting it into local pipelines to effectively serve the two biggest towns in East Lindsey.”

Mr Lucas went on to say that the proposed facility will create 10 jobs and the company behind the application has pledged £15,000 towards community projects in the area.

Coun Richard Cunnington said while he supported the application, he was concerned about the timings that lorries were allowed to enter the site.

“Residents deserve peace and quiet. They deserve to be able to have a sit out in their garden with a BBQ, drinks etc at this time of night.

“It says lorries will enter the site until 9 o’clock,” he pointed out. “They’ll be leaving between 10 o’clock and half past ten at night. That’s unfair. Can we amend the condition in any way shape or form so that either the last lorry is to have left the site by 9 o’clock or the last lorry in by 7? I’m unhappy with the 9 o’clock in.”

Andrew Booth, development manager lead officer at the district council, said conditions have been carefully considered by the environmental health team who felt it an ‘appropriate and reasonable balance’.