A DEVELOPER behind plans for an anaerobic digestion facility says it wants to be a 'good neighbour' and will do everything possible to minimise the effects of smells on surrounding villagers.
Residents have mounted a protest against the Peel Group's plans for a renewable energy park at Houghton Main Colliery roundabout, near little Houghton, and the Chronicle understands more than 200 letters of objection have been sent to the council's planning department.
They say other anaerobic digestion plants - which break down waste food in a sealed container to produce gas to create electricity - all have continual problems with smells.
But Peel says a thorough air quality assessment has been carried out, and the plant will the latest technology built into its design specifically to deal with the escape of odours.
Jane Gaston, development manager, said: "Of course we want to develop this facility, but we want to be a good neighbour in the community as well. We will be there for many years, and we don't want to be known as someone causing problems in the area."
She said she wanted to reassure residents that it will not be like the 'horror stories' they have read about on the internet about similar plants.
"If it is a well managed, well run, well operated plant, that adheres to all operational practices and all environmental permit conditions, there will be very minimal problems caused with it."
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated July 18. **
