Inspectors reject anaerobic digestion plan for Ramsbottom

The Government has backed a decision by Bury Council’s planning control committee to reject proposals to build an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Ramsbottom.

Inspectors have recommended dismissal of an appeal launched by the scheme’s proposers, Peel Environmental and Marshalls Mono Ltd, to build the facility in Fletcher Bank Quarry.

The AD project, to convert food waste into heat and electricity, had originally been unanimously rejected by members of Bury Council’s planning committee in March 2014. They said it would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and have a detrimental impact on people living nearby.

A lengthy Public Inquiry was held by the independent Planning Inspectorate, and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government decided that he would make the final decision himself.

The Secretary of State has now announced that he agrees with the Inspector’s findings that the developers’ appeal should be dismissed.

Councillor Sandra Walmsley, cabinet member for resource and regulation, said: “This has been a long process which has stirred up a lot of emotion among residents in Ramsbottom. I am confident that the council and its staff dealt with the whole matter in a scrupulously fair and professional way, and I welcome the fact that this has effectively been recognised in the decision by the Inspector and the Secretary of State.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 27 November 2015.