A Derby firm of architects is celebrating after successfully overturning a decision to refuse permission for a biofuel facility at a farm in the county.
When North East Derbyshire District Council rejected the plans for the bespoke timber drying facility at Averill Farm, in Morton, Planning and Design Practice, based in Vernon Gate, lodged an appeal.
The council had initially turned down the proposal because of concerns over the impact the facility would have on the character and appearance of the area.
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The authority was also concerned about the living conditions of nearby residents, with particular regard to noise and disturbance.
Planning and Design had submitted the original application on behalf Midlands Biomass Solutions. It wanted to convert the farm to use it to chip, dry and store wood, ahead of transportation to a site in Derby, where it would be converted, by the process of torrefaction, into a low carbon, eco-friendly biofuel.
Torrefaction is a thermal process that converts biomass into a coal-like material, which has better fuel characteristics than the original biomass.
As part of its appeal against the council’s decision to refuse permission, Planning and Design put forward a comprehensive Noise Impact Assessment, which recommended a number of measures to mitigate noise, including restricting delivery hours and wood chipping activities.
In addition lorry routes to and from the site were agreed as part of a Delivery Management Plan.
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With no objections from the environmental health officer or the Highways Authority, a refusal on either grounds of noise or highway safety were shown to be unjustified.
Planning permission now paves the way for the biofuel facility to be created, which would create around a dozen new jobs.
Jonathan Jenkin, managing director at Planning and Design said: “We are pleased to have won this appeal.
“Climate change is a real and immediate concern. The development of low carbon fuel sources is important to the future of the economy and the nation. We are pleased to have received the support of the Secretary of State.
“The company has high demand for its product and this approval will allow them to significantly increase production linked to their manufacturing facility in Derby.”