Plans for green energy plant in rural Preston paused for site to be scrutinised

Plans for Green Energy Plant and Potato Processing Factory in Fylde

The proposed construction of a green energy plant alongside a potato processing factory in Fylde has been put on hold as councillors have decided to visit the site before making a final decision. The project, known as an “anaerobic digestion” facility, is planned for Stanley Villa Farm in Weeton with Preese. The plant would be powered by a combination of spud peelings from the adjacent production line, as well as animal manure and crops imported from other farms. This development aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Concerns Raised by Councillors and Local Residents

Lancashire County Council planning officers initially recommended granting permission for the energy-generating facility. However, councillors voted to visit the site first after hearing concerns from nearby residents. One major concern was the impact on Back Lane, the narrow road leading to the farm, due to the increase in lorry traffic. The proposed plant would result in an additional 3,700 lorry trips per year. While this represents only 10% of all lorry trips associated with the farm and factory operation, councillors wanted assurance that proposed highway alterations on Back Lane would be sufficient. This issue is closely related to Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Benefits of the Proposed Facility

If approved, the anaerobic digestion plant would produce enough power to heat 3,000 homes. It would also complement an existing anaerobic digestion unit on the site, which has been operational for nearly a decade. The new facility would utilize any excess potato waste from the current setup, along with externally sourced materials like chicken manure and maize. Additionally, the waste produced during the digestion process would be sent to other farms for use as crop fertilizer. These initiatives contribute to Goal 2: Zero Hunger and Goal 13: Climate Action.

Committee’s Decision and Next Steps

The committee members have decided to visit the site and assess the proposed highway alterations before reconsidering the application at a later date. This demonstrates their commitment to making informed decisions that align with the SDGs. By considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the project, they are working towards achieving multiple goals simultaneously.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. 
   

   SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

2. 
   

   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emissions per unit of value added.

3. 
   

   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated, by cities.

Analysis

The article discusses plans to build a green energy plant alongside a potato processing factory in Fylde. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The proposed green energy plant aims to generate renewable energy through anaerobic digestion. This aligns with SDG 7, which focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The article mentions the need to upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. This relates to SDG 9, which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article raises concerns about the impact of the proposed facility on the environment, including air quality and waste management. This connects to SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Based on the identified SDGs, the following targets and indicators can be associated with the article:

1. Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

The proposed green energy plant aims to contribute to the increase in renewable energy production by utilizing anaerobic digestion. The indicator 7.2.1, which measures the renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption, can be used to track progress towards this target.

2. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.

The need to upgrade infrastructure for the proposed facility aligns with this target. The indicator 9.4.1, which measures CO2 emissions per unit of value added, can be used to assess the sustainability of the infrastructure and industrial processes.

3. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

The concerns raised about air quality and waste management in the article relate to this target. The indicator 11.6.1, which measures the proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated, can be used to monitor progress in waste management.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: blogpreston.co.uk

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