Right Technology. Wrong Scale. Wrong Location
Bucks Strategic Sites Committee Refuse Anaerobic Digester at Hornage Farm, over-turning Officer’s Recommendation

Before going into the details, I want to thank every single person who has engaged with the objection to this proposal for an industrial-scale anaerobic digester at Hornage Farm, mid-way between Long Crendon and Oakley on the B4011. It has
been amazing to see the community-spirit, talent, determination and resilience over nearly four years of campaigning. Common sense has prevailed!

Bringing you up to speed, Acorn moved the plant 40 metres south, to avoid placing the plant in Flood Risk Zone 3, where it would have attracted an automatic refusal. This satisfied the Environment Agency, who withdrew their objection, but note it
would be highly unlikely to grant an operating permit that allowed run-off into Hornage Brook.

On September 2nd , the Strategic Sites Committee (SSC) sat to determine the case. The meeting had been delayed by a week to allow the Government’s new National Planning Policy Framework to be applied to the proposal. Taking all statutory consultee comments into account, the planning officer’s report recommended granting the application. It was then up to the SSC to decide if the harms were acceptable and weigh these against the benefits.

The process was simple, but long. The Case Officer made his recommendation. Then four people spoke against the proposal for a strictly enforced 3-minute slot. Cllr Clive Harris opened, followed by Greg Smith MP with a breathtaking tirade against the impact on road safety. Then Greg Lismore and James Smith, spoke for the Parish Councils, highlighting policy-based reasons for refusal. Ben Haxworth then spoke on behalf of residents in the nine neighbouring villages, setting out what the proposal would mean to their everyday lives. Collectively, the speakers made a strong case that the harm to road safety, amenity, landscape, heritage and water are unacceptable, and that the claimed benefits are not sufficiently proven. Finally, the applicant spoke. Each presentation was followed by questions from the SSC. The last stage of the process was a debate among SSC Members, followed by a vote.

Frankly we were all exhausted by then. It was clear that Members were minded to refuse the application, but needed to ensure that policies could defend this position. To their credit, Members of the SSC showed remarkable resolve and determination. The easy option would have been to accept the Officer’s recommendation, but they listened to our concerns and applied the new NPPF with clear reasoning. Their reasoning is important. Members were very explicit in their support for farming, and their support for anaerobic digestion. But not at the industrial-scale proposed (growing crops to feed the anaerobic digester, rather than using genuine waste, andimporting it from miles around by HGV). And not in a location that can only be reached on minor and rural roads.

The vote was like watching England vs. Germany on penalties. Four years of hope and heartache coming down to the raising of seven hands. Except that this time WE WON. I don’t mind admitting that the emotion was quite overwhelming, as I am sure it was for many of you who watched, either in person or via the web cast. Your presence in high-vis jackets or on-line was immensely reassuring, and I know all the speakers
felt very supported.

So what next? This process has shown that anaerobic digestion is a great technology, at the right scale and in the right location. We have a better understanding of the need to support local farmers, underscored by this extraordinary summer. Acorn has shown that anaerobic digestion can generate significant amounts of money. But we would rather this go to genuinely supporting
farmers and the energy transition, than private equity investors. Organisations like Greener Crendon and Phoenix Energy Community are well placed to work with local landowners and farmers to make this happen for the benefit of the local community
and the climate.

Ben Haxworth, on behalf of all members of Say No to Acorn