Herefordshire Planners Reject Anaerobic Digestion Plant Proposal After Three-Year Review

Herefordshire planners have ruled against a proposed anaerobic digestion (AD) plant at Whitwick Manor, which was intended to process 100,000 tonnes of poultry manure annually and generate natural gas for approximately 6,000 homes. The proposal included additional infrastructure such as a 20,000-tonne grain storage facility, feedstock storage, and a connection to the national gas grid.

The planning decision followed nearly 350 objections citing environmental, landscape, and traffic concerns. Planning officer Rebecca Jenman stated that the facility was inappropriate for its location, lacking sufficient ties to the local rural economy, and would be visually intrusive.

Additionally, concerns regarding potential impacts on local water and air quality were noted. This decision marks another setback for Nicholas Leyton, whose STL Energy firm recently faced refusal for a 265-home development near Hereford.