Contact e-mail change - 2nd November 2008
The following e-mail address has been set up to receive any comments or complaints regarding the Composting Site Operation at Helmdon. The e-mail connects to an office based e-mail which is manned during normal office hours. Any complaints received will be logged and investigated.
e-mail
Helmdon Blackpits Up-date - 7th September 2007
Public concern has focused on the following main issues:
- Odorous pollution from unpleasant smells;
- Environmental pollution from wind blown litter;
- Environmental pollution from non-biodegradable materials and toxic substances;
- Increased traffic flow along the Welsh Lane and ensuing danger at the Radstone Road crossing, and at the turn into the recycling centre;
- Possible problems from heavy traffic flow through the village.
The Current Position
The Current Position
- The Environment Agency has requested the operators to remove certain stockpiles of non-biodegradable and contaminated material, which was spread on to farm roads, back to landfill sites, and this has been completed. (It should be noted that the Environmental Agency has to approve both the quality of compost product for use on farmland, as well as the site that it is to be used on.)
- The new plant that is to be constructed at the site will not add to the wind-blown odours, however the current facility will stay in operation with the potential for odour generation.
- During the extreme weather we have been experiencing odours, and anyone concerned by this is asked to contact Douglas Humphrey in the first instance. If they are not satisfied with the response they should contact David Powell, David Brookhouse or Paul Sandilands who will take the matter further.
- It is important to be aware that at certain times of the year *normal” farming operations can cause extremely unpleasant odours, in particular when muck spreading is in progress. This did occur in early August and there was much confusion as to the source of the smell. The Liaison Committee were at the Blackpits site at the time to check it was not the cause in this instance.
- The Owners have been working with the Liaison Committee to look at methods of suppressing the odours generated, and over the next few weeks when all the equipment is installed, we will see if this is effective.
- The use of barn buildings to hold materials under cover and the erection of high fences should help to eliminate wind-blown litter. The operators also have a “litter picking” team available when necessary if excessive wind is experienced.
It is worth mentioning that the main culprit of this plastic contamination is the householder, and the Liaison Committee are working with South Northants Council to look at ways we might try to inform householders of their individual responsibility.
- The Planning Permission does not allow Lorries carrying waste to the recycling centre to travel through the village (Other that the waste collected from Helmdon and Falcutt). The product vehicles do have permission to travel through the villages, and the Owners have agreed that they are always willing to suspend these operations for special events, and contact should be made with Douglas Humphrey.
- Whilst vigilance has to be maintained in respect of all the above, the Monitoring Group is most concerned about the traffic problems along the Welsh Lane.
Status on Traffic Movements on the Welsh Lane
In mid July the Liaison Committee met at Blackpits Recycle Centre site entrance with Nick Gore from Northants County Council Traffic Division, Andrew Grant our County Councillor together with the Owner Douglas Humphrey. The purpose of the meeting was to voice our concerns on the following issues:
- The lack of signage indicating that slow vehicles are turning into and out of the site;
- The excessive speed of vehicles along Welsh Lane (60 mph restriction).
Nick Gore was only able to address the question of signage, and it was agreed that this had been omitted from the original Traffic Survey. It was also decided that he and Douglas Humphrey would agree the exact signage required, Andrew Grant would then look at funding for the production and installation of the signs. The signs have been ordered and will be installed in early September.
Nick Gore stated that to date there have as yet been no accidents at the entrance to the recycling site, so this on its own would not warrant speed reduction. He stated there have been a number of accidents (none fatal) at the Station Road/ C20/Welsh Lane crossroads. Analysis shows no pattern to these accidents, e.g. in terms of vehicle types or driver profiles. This issue is being pursued by Greatworth Parish Council, and Helmdon Parish Council (Peter Burns) are joining to approach the Highways Authority (Incident Reduction Unit) on the matter of speed reduction along Welsh Lane.
Contact Details;-
Douglas Humphrey: 01295 768886 helmdonrecycle@btconnect.com
David Powell: 01295 760295 david.powell@mwkl.co.uk
David Brookhouse: 01295 760315 david..brookhouse@virgin.net
Paul Sandilands: 01280 850204 paul@pulse-on-line.com
Helmdon Blackpits Monitoring Group First Meeting - 26th April 2007
Planning Application S/2007/0394/P
Blackpits Recycle Centre Helmdon
David Brookhouse as vice chairman of the Parish Council called a meeting
on the 26th April at the Reading Room Committee Room, to discuss the
recent developments regarding this application. In particular the
response received from the Northamptonshire Highways Department was
causing concern.
The meeting was attended by David Brookhouse, David Powell, Roger
Miles, Cec Harold, John Thorne, Steve Hackett, with apologies from
Peter Burns, Danny Moody and Gary Turner. The meeting was also attended
by Mervyn and Douglas Humphreys as owners and operators of the Blackpits
Centre.
The purpose of the meeting was to look at the formation of a Monitoring
Group on the operation of the Blackpits Recycle Centre, and comment
on the current application.
The Monitoring Group would be open to all organisations in the village,
and it was thought that this would probably be around 10/12 members.
From this group a number of members possibly 3/4 would join the Liaison
Committee which would include the Owners, and the Environmental Agency.
It was suggested that 2 members of the Monitoring Group should be
from the Parish Council, and we should solicit other members of the
Group through the Helmdon Website (Danny Moody).
It was agreed that the name of the group would be "Helmdon Blackpits
Recycle Centre Monitoring Group", and it would be limited to
Helmdon and Falcutt residences
David Powell was elected as Chairman of the Monitoring group, and
the following members agreed to form part of the Group
- David Brookhouse
- Roger Miles - representing Parish Path warden
- John Thorne - representing HAFWEG
- Cec Harold - representing the School
- Steve Hackett - representing Falcutt
It was suggested that a recorder for the meetings would be helpful.
The Chairman also agreed to contact Will Adams to see if he might
represent the Church in Helmdon, and Danny Moody to publicise the
group and its aims.
It was agreed that Mervyn and Doug Humphreys would not be members
of the Group, but would be invited to attend the Monitoring groups
meetings. It was also agreed that members should serve a limited period
on the Committee possibly 12 months, when a review of the attendees
on the Monitoring Group would take place.
The discussion then returned to the main object of the meeting, and
David Brookhouse indicated that he had received information that the
Northamptonshire Highways Department (Nick Gore) had already completed
their survey of the roads around the Blacpits site and recommended
no changes are required. It was agreed that David Brookhouse and David
Powell would get together and prepare a response to the South Northants
Planning Authority and the Highways Department and issue as soon as
possible.
This issue should be followed up by the new Parish Council as soon
as it is elected, on a matter of urgency with the Planning Department.
Roger Miles subsequent to our meeting has had contact with Atkins
who put him onto Nick Gore who confirmed that the survey was complete
and recommendations made to Planning. When Roger questioned Nick further
he did not carry out the survey himself and was not sure if the Highways
Department had taken into account all the movements into and out of
the Blackpits site, including disposal of the product using tractor
trailers. Perhaps Roger might care to elaborate on the discussions
he had so we can record the contact details.
It does make action a high priority both by the Monitoring Group and
the new Parish Council.
Audit Report Summary - 11th April 2007
By David Powell
I have reviewed the Audit Report carried out on 1st February 2007
at the Blackpits Recycle Plant and I have the following comments and
recommendations to make. Most of these recommendations really reinforce
those that I made on the Planning Application.
Audit Report
- Objectives
o Assess if site is causing pollution of environment or harm to
human health or serious detriment to the amenity
o Secure compliance with permit and relevant legislation
o Drive improvements to meet best practice
o Assess adequacy of the permit
o Provide permit holder with a clear understanding of expectations
- Incident and Complaint Review
o Between March 2004 and January 2007 there were 11 formal complaints
raised
§ These complaints in the main express concerns about odor
and plastic contamination with a couple of reports that the compost
heaps are over the permitted height and width
o From mid August 2006 to the end of January 2007, South Northants
logged 48 complaints all of which relate to “unpleasant/pungent
“ odours with one at the end of January 2007 being confirmed
by an “officer visit”
o It is important to note that the prevailing wind as stated in
the report is WSW which is a direct line to Helmdon Village
- Conclusions from the Report
o Technically competent management cover is only currently available
1(one) hour every 2(two) weeks. This degree of attendance falls
well below the Environment Agency’s minimum requirement
o The waste management license stipulates that moisture content
within the heaps be monitored with a meter. No such moisture probe
is available on site, and a far less accurate “squeeze test”
is used.
o The oxygen content of the windrows (compost piles) is not currently
being monitored as specified. No meter is available for use and
operators are currently investigating an appropriate methodology
with consultants
o The license requires the provision of a 1.8 metre high chain
link fence around the perimeter of the site, unless an alternative
has been agreed in writing with the Agency. No alternatives have
been agreed with the Agency
o Some contamination with plastic does occur despite the efforts
of the operators to remove, but every effort should be made to reduce
this contamination to an absolute minimum.
o Although not definitive, analysis of the odour complaints may
be linked to the screening/shredding operations on site.
§ The operator is also currently investigating the possible
usage of forced aeration to help safeguard against the windrows
(compost piles) becoming anaerobic and causing odours.
o In the light of the number of odour complaints received by South
Northamptonshire District Council it is recommended that a more
robust, formalised procedure for odour monitoring and recording
be developed and implemented. Such a procedure should
§ Specify frequency of monitoring
§ Location of monitoring
§ Name of monitoring personnel
§ A description of weather conditions
§ A protocol for classifying the type and strength of the
odour
§ A record of any specific site operations underway at the
time of the exercise
o All instances of detectable odour from this facility or any other
site must be recorded. Swift action in responding to all notified
complaints and good communications must be established between the
licensee, South Northamptonshire District Council and the Environmental
Agency so that a prompt investigation is initiated.
I believe that the reports conclusions serves to strongly reinforce
my previous recommendations, and all of the concerns expressed in
the Audit report need to be actioned and then proven in operation
during the coming summer. The additional facilities proposed should
also be investigated during the summer at a current operating site
to ensure ourselves that there will be no adverse effect when they
are installed at the Blackpits facility.
Just as a point of clarification the Bio Group is a very recent
merger of three companies, CRS, Material Change, and Global Renewables
- CRS have designed and built in vessel composting plants –
this is for the current application
- Material Change provide under contract large shredders, screeners,
men and handling equipment for green waste composting operations,
(inc Helmdon)
- Global Renewables sell both new and second hand equipment suitable
for organic waste treatment
Site Visit - 8th April
2007
By David Powell
I recently visited the Blackpits Recycle Centre on Tuesday 3rd April
to look at the existing facility and form an opinion on the expansion.
I have also reviewed the planning Application and have the following
comments and recommendations to make, for the Parish Council's consideration.
1) The planning Application is in the name of Swift Renewable Energy
Ltd , dated 5th March 2007 for the Application. I do not believe
this is the current Owner who I think is Bio Group (CRS is a part
of the Bio Group that is responsible for the actual implementation
of projects around the country). The application is for:
- An Anaerobic Digestion Plant, 15,000 t/a of wet food waste
- In Vessel Composting Plant, 15,000 t/a of dry food waste
- Total increase 30,000 t/a
2) Current Planning permission is to handle 55,000 t/a
- 25,000 t/a inert waste and timber; May 2005
- 25,000 t/a green waste March 2004
- 5,000 kitchen waste September 2004.
3) Report does not consider Helmdon Village as a "Sensitive
Receptor", but it does state that "Odours and Noise"
will be strictly controlled.
4) In the Anaerobic Digestion Plant electricity will be generated
using a generator to deliver 300kw
- The main potential risk is "noise", and it is stated
that the level should be 68dBa at a distance of 10m. It is also
stated that this could be reduced as an option, and we should push
for increased noise attenuation to the lowest level achievable
- Meeting this level should be a condition of operation and the
plant which should be checked regularly, and if not meeting the
specification the generating plant should be shut down.
5) The report has dealt with a number of specific "Sensitive
Receptors" but does not in any way address the issues of the
impact on Helmdon Village
- On air Quality (Odours), they talk about the fact that they will
take "mitigating measures will therefore be used to reduce
the risk"
- It does look like the proposals stated should lead to minimising
odours in that:
- Waste will be delivered into enclosed buildings
- Equipment will be located in enclosed buildings
- There will be strict control of incoming waste
- Static compost pile to be aerated to maintain the right balance
- In enclosed buildings aeration fans and odour control systems
are proposed
6) Noise
Equipment provided on the site should have maximum noise attenuation
applied(i.e. Generator)
- An overall site assessment should be made, combining all potential
noise sources into a noise map
- This should be monitored by the Authorities on a regular basis
to ensure compliance.
Summary
- Additional facilities will add
- 14,000 t/a wet food waste
- 16,000 t/a household & green waste
- Existing 55,000 t/a already agreed
- Facility will have
- Anaerobic Digestion - New (wet food waste)
- In vessel composting - New (Household & green waste)
- Green waste composting- Existing
- From the description of the various processes and facilities,
if they are operated correctly and consistently, then they should
not cause the problems that have been experienced to date.
Recommendations
- Prior to allowing the expansion of the facilities CRS should demonstrate
during the coming summer, that the current plant does not cause
the problems that have been experienced to date (i.e. poor odour
control and lack of plastic waste removal)
- Since CRS are introducing two new processes, they should demonstrate
to the villagers the successful operation elsewhere - a site visit
would be advisable
- Once we are satisfied with the operation of the existing facilities,
and evidence on the two new processes is acceptable, then we should
agree to the propose new development.
- If CRS are as good as they claim in there literature, they should
have no problems in demonstrating acceptable operations. If they
are not able to, then we have every cause to take strong exception
to the facility.
- An issue that has not been addressed at all in the report, which
I think is every bit as important, is the disposal of the product.
- The facility will be generating 85,000t/a of composted product.
- In 3 years this will amount to 1/4 MILLION tons, and in 10 years
nearly 1 (one) MILLION of compost
- Where is it going to go, and what are the plans to dispose of
the product.
- We need to ensure that it is not stock piled in great mounds all
round the village, which will indeed impact on the environment.
- There need to be height restrictions imposed on any mounds, and
we need to ensure they do not spring up everywhere.
- CRS should produce a plan that shows how the product will be disposed
of now and in the log term. This should also be part of the planning
application and we should be able to examine and agree the plans
before agreeing to the expansion.
- It is not a sufficient answer to say that the compost will be
spread over the fields, - 1 MILLION tonnes over 10 years, I doubt
very strongly.
- It is all very well bringing in and processing the waste, but
if you cannot get rid of the product, then the plants output should
be limited until it can be moved.
David Powell
Chartered Engineer
Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers
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