Slurry plan rejected: 'Worry and stress' over for villagers

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build a waste storage lagoon near a dale village has been rejected by county councillors.
AWSM Farms had wanted to import as much as 70,000 tonnes of farm waste into Hutton Magna, causing outrage from villagers and neighbouring parish councils.
The plan was to contructtwo new buildings, a storage lagoon and a weigh bridge at the site on Lane Head Farm.
Along with objections from eight parish and district councils, some 89 letters opposing the proposed waste storage and anaerobic digestion
site were sent to county planners.
Opponents complained that the unit would create a stink, increase lorry traffic, generate noise and have a negative impact on the beauty of the landscape around Hutton Magna.
Although the Environment Agency did not oppose the development, it pointed out in its response that a “serious pollution incident” occurred at the site in 2015 which resulted in waste leaking from a previous slurry pit at the
site. People in the village claimed the stink from the slurry pit meant they could not enjoy their own gardens or open their windows.
But AWSM Farms said the proposed facility would generate energy through anaerobic digestion, create jobs for local people and produce valuable bio-fertiliser.
Supply for the plant would predominately be in the form of cattle manure and farm crops, but some food waste would also be used, the applicant said.
However, senior planning officer Chris Shields recommended to Durham County Council’s planning committee that the application be refused because it would result in the “unnecessary importation of waste” into the county.
He said: “The proposed development would constitute inappropriate development in the countryside in conflict with the locational criteria set out in the County Durham waste local plan policies.”
Speaking during the planning committee meeting on Tuesday last week, Claire Bradley, representing Hutton Magna, Ovington, Barningham and Dalton parish councils, said: “It has been five long years of worry and stress.
“This will have an impact on residents and visitors. Who wants to holiday where there are constant smells?”
She added that there would be as many as 60 HGV movements through the village each day.
Photographer Richard Laidler, who lives in the village, pleaded with the committee to unanimously reject the proposal which he added would harm the “big wide and expansive views” of lower Teesdale.
He described the area as a priceless asset and a jewel in County Durham.
Of the possibility of the development going ahead he said: “I find the prospect absolutely appalling.”
County councillors for Hutton Magna James Rowlandson and George Richardson both spoke against the proposal.
The county council’s committee voted unanimously to reject the proposal.