THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset 24th August 2022
Issue 744
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What next for site after waste plant developer withdraws appeal? The company which has been trying to build a giant
appeal.
anaerobic digester (AD) plant near Keynsham has
“POKE would also like to thank the community,
abandoned its appeal.
parish councils, local councillors and all those
Developer Resourceful Energy Anaerobic Limited
that have supported us. We would also like to
(REAL) had appealed after Bath & North East Somerset
thank The Week In for their excellent and
Council’s planning committee refused permission in
objective reporting on this issue.
March to almost quadruple the previously approved
“However, the matter is not closed because the
capacity at the Green Belt site in Charlton Field Lane
unauthorised development is still there, and the
where unauthorised development has taken place.
site should be returned to open countryside.
More than 800 people had objected to the scheme.
POKE looks forward to working with the council
Campaign group Protect Our Keynsham Environment
through enforcing the extant enforcement notice
(POKE) has been at the forefront of the fight, raising
which requires the removal of the anaerobic
funds to pay for expert witnesses at the inquiry that had
digestion plant buildings and taking further enforcement
The site is in the Saltford ward and the appeal withdrawal
been scheduled for October.
action to ensure that the site is restored as approved in
has been welcomed by the two local councillors. Cllr
This week POKE’s chair
previous planning permissions.”
Alistair Singleton said the plans would have led to great
Kerry Morgan said: “POKE
This week B&NES councillor for Keynsham South, Alan
harm to local communities as well as the environment.
has been advised via B&NES
Hale, said: “An extremely big thank you has to be paid
Cllr Duncan Hounsell added: "I now wish to see existing
Council that REAL have
to the outstanding work and efforts of Kerry Morgan and
planning enforcement cases continue to be pursued and
withdrawn their appeal to
POKE. Kerry has been working constantly to foil the
the site restored.”
build a supersized anaerobic
appeal and her efforts have won through to the benefit of
Paul May, B&NES councillor for nearby Whitchurch and
digester facility at the Queen
everyone who would have been adversely affected by
Pensford, said: “The appeal has cost the council and
Charlton quarry site. This is
this development which would have brought odours,
POKE considerable costs and dedication. We have seen
good news that the appeal has
wind-blown spores and HGVs infesting the local roads.
before that defeat of inappropriate applications does not
been
POKE
“There are a number of digesters in the region and none
mean the end so we need to remain vigilant and seek
would like to thank the
are running at capacity. To have fed this one, maize was
other options for this site which has already been abused
council officers and our own professional team for
going to be grown purely for feeding the digester and all
in planning terms.”
submitting statements of case strong enough to convince
fuel stuff would have to have been carried in by almost
The region’s Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “Well done
the appellant that they had no prospect of winning the
100 HGVs per day.”
all who have resisted this unwelcome development in our
Kerry Morgan
withdrawn.
Green Belt. The fight continues until we are certain there is a good outcome.”
Also in this week’s issue
Plans to demolish footbridge in Keynsham Park . . . page 2
Firearms cabinet stolen from Keynsham . . . page 3
New foodbank for Staple Hill . . . page 4
Council is asked 30 times to lower hedge in Cadbury Heath . . . page 9