MP Graham Stuart is asking East Riding Council to explain changes to plans for a controversial anaerobic digestion plant at Woodmansey.
It comes after Woodmansey and Dunswell Residents’ Group complained residents have not been property consulted by the council about the developer’s changes, leaving them feeling “powerless and unprotected”.
The plant at Plaxton Bridge would feature two digester tanks and is designed to turn food waste into low-cost, renewable energy.
But residents are concerned fundamental changes have been made to the plans that will negatively impact the surrounding area, including a reduction in a five metre-wide tree screening belt.
The MP for Beverley and Holderness also wants the council to clarify the output of the plant, after residents discovered the approved plans for electricity generation may end up being changed to produce gas.
People living near the site insist this would be a major change and question why the council says permission is not required.
Mr Stuart says: “Having listened to concerned members of the Woodmansey and Dunswell Residents’ Group, I’m asking for answers from the council about what constitutes a material change to the existing planning permission and whether residents have been consulted appropriately about those changes.
“These are the same residents who, back in 2016, expressed concerns about the size and impact of the plant and who are now set to be negatively affected by alterations beyond the scope of the original planning approval.
“Throughout this process, residents feel their views have been neglected and that only token efforts have been made by both the developers and the council to keep them informed.”
Resident Alison Goddard says: “We want to be clear we do not wish to rip up the planning agreement, although the proximity of the plant to our houses does not have precedence in the UK.
“Our main concern is to ensure that local residents are properly safeguarded and that we are consulted on any major material changes to planning proposals.
“We have been disappointed by the actions of the developers and the council’s apparent unwillingness to hear our objections.
“From a major reduction of the plant’s crucial tree screening belt, to inaccessible consultation meetings being held during work hours, the handling of this process has left local residents feeling powerless and unprotected.”
East Riding ward Councillor Kerri Harold says: “I believe the changes, discharged without public notice in December 2017, should have been subject to consultation and referral back to the planning committee.
“Residents deserve to be kept in the loop about substantial alterations to a major planning project so close to their homes, and I’m glad that Graham is listening to concerns and taking them up with the council.”
An East Riding Council spokesman says: “These are issues relating to discharging the conditions of the approval and a liaison group is being established to allow residents and the parish council to discuss the scheme with the developer and the council.”
The agent for applicant Solar 21 Renewable Energy Limited could not be contacted for comment.
Article originally appeared on Hull Daily Mail
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