Skip to main content

To: The West Sussex County Council – Planning Committee Members

Protect Rural Sussex Parishes from an unapproved industrial Biogas Plant

Crouchland Biogas Ltd. Plaistow, West Sussex enlarged, without planning permission, from a small on-farm Anaerobic Digestion facility to an Industrial-Scale Gas Plant. A retrospective planning application (WSCC/042/14/PS) is under consideration by West Sussex County Council. The WSCC Planning Committee are petitioned to refuse the application as it's detrimental to and not in the interests of the local communities.

Why is this important?

THE TIMELINE
2017:
• 25Apr: Inquiry into 3 Appeals against Enforcement and Planning Refusal begins. Legal counsels for Parish Councils, WSCC and CDC, with independent experts to take part.
• 29Mar: Leon Mekitarian, Director Farm Fuel faces suspension, curtailment or disqualification of operator's licence in new Traffic Commissioner's Public Inquiry.
• 27Feb: Appointment of Philip Gerrard (also Director, Eastern Counties Finance 1 Ltd, with whom Crouchland hold a mortgage & debenture) and Andrew Vernau as Directors to Crouchland Biogas Ltd.
• 6 Feb: Statements of Case by WSCC, CDC & Parish Councils for remaining Appeals submitted.
• 27Jan: Farm Fuel called to new Traffic Commissioner’s Public Inquiry for alleged breaches of timing condition at company’s Woking operating centre and allegations of trailers used during suspension period.
• 23Jan: Crouchland submit 405 pages of new documents for Appeals rendering previous documents redundant as they disclose ‘new baseline’ for retrospective planning application refusal. The joint Parish Councils and legal counsel are left just 9 days to respond.
2016:
• 14Dec: The government confirms reformed Renewable Heat Incentive subsidy scheme. ‘all new Non-Domestic RHI applicants for accreditation and those seeking registration for injection of biomethane should have all necessary planning permissions in place before they are accredited / registered.’ It’s not implemented retrospectively so Crouchland still claim large subsidy.
• 30Nov: Farm Fuel licence suspension begins. No HGVs allowed to leave Woking Operating Centre for 2 weeks.
• 10Nov: After Farm Fuel licence suspension, CEO John Morea - Southern Gas Networks (SGN) confirms "We would expect the contractor in question to comply with the suspension and have informed Crouchland Biogas Ltd we won’t be accepting any biomethane from this particular gas transportation source during its suspension."
• 3Nov: Traffic Commissioner suspends Farm Fuel HGV licence for 2 weeks (1-15 Dec). The unauthorised use has been extensive, prolonged and the operator sought to conceal the extent of this.
• 30Sep: Crouchland Farms fined.
• 22Jul: Crouchland Farms plead guilty to illegally discharging polluting material to River Kird on 02Dec2013. No announcements yet on significant pollution events in 2015 & 2016.
• 18Jul: Ofgem respond to a FOI request and advise Crouchland have received £4,359,537 in RHI subsidy from financial year 2014/15.
• 22Jun: The Planning Inspectorate publish Appeal decision re: the Certificate of Lawful Use granted by WSCC. The appeal allowed in part. The Inspector concludes that WSCC’s refusal to grant a certificate of lawful use or development in respect of the two metal containers to aid gas conditioning for the biogas plant, attached to the LDC and the conditioning and exportation of biogas was not well-founded and that the appeal in respect of these items and activity should succeed. In respect of the separator and the flare, attached to the LDC, and the importation of waste and any other materials for anaerobic digestion from land outside the boundaries of Crouchland Farm, the Inspector concluded that WSCC’s refusal to grant a cert. of lawful use or development in respect of these items and activity was well-founded and that the appeal should fail. (APP/P3800/X/15/3137735).
• 27May: Crouchland seeks adjournment to EA legal case.
• 17May: Traffic Inquiry reconvenes.
• 11-12May: Appeal against Cert. of Lawfulness is heard.
• 29Apr: The Environment Agency announce legal proceedings against Crouchland Farms for Dec2013 pollution of River Kird.
• 29Mar: P.O.R.E receives letter stating “The Gas Alliance Group (including Gas Bus Alliance) no longer take any Biomethane from Crouchland Farms Ltd or Crouchland Biogas Ltd.” and threatening legal action should villagers “communicate any information to any Bodies or Persons which is contrary to this statement”. Tony Griffiths is signatory, former General Manager of MAN UK bus operations.
• 29 Mar: Barry Evans resigns from Crouchland Biogas.
• 16Mar: Another significant pollution incident occurs and while cleanup in progress SGN disassociate themselves stating Crouchland is separate and they have no corporate responsibility for the actions of this autonomous company. Contrary to CEO John Morea’s 2013 Annual Report that Crouchland was SGN's partner; and from an email to WSCC 28Aug2014 supporting the retrospective planning application, stating "Our pioneering partnership with Crouchland Biogas..." and though SGN have a fixed / floating charge on the property / undertakings of Crouchland Biogas.
• 4Mar: Crouchland apply to substantially vary EA environmental permit (EPR/CB3208XJ/V002).
• 12Jan: Farm Fuel called to Traffic Commissioner enquiry for breaches to Operator’s licence ie. using the farm as an unauthorised Operating Centre.
2015:
• Nov: Parish Councils launch planning fund for expert / legal counsel.
• Oct: Crouchland lodge Appeals against Enforcement Notices (to dismantle all equipment installed without planning permission & to stop operating as a commercial biogas plant); retrospective planning refusal and Cert. of Lawfulness.
• 1Sep: WSCC issue Cert. of Lawfulness excluding conditioning & export of gas, importation of waste & other materials for anaerobic digestion and many items of development.
• 16Jul: CDC issue 2 Enforcement Notices with staggered compliance dates for cease of use of land and 6mths for remaining requirements (PS/13/00015/CONCOU).
• 23Jun: The EA attends pollution incident on adjoining farm’s watercourse with significant impact on ecology & ability to water livestock.
• 16Jun: CDC inform WSCC they strongly object to granting Cert. of Lawfulness.
• 2Jun: WSCC pass CDC responsibility to investigate & serve Enforcement but are clear multiple planning breaches have occurred.
• For events prior to 2Jun15 contact PORE.

How it will be delivered

Email and Press Conference

Crouchland Farm, Rickman's Lane, Plaistow RH14 0LE, West Sussex

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

Category

Links

Updates

2016-03-10 11:43:52 +0000

Read this update from Plaistow & Ifold Parish Council regarding the Crouchland Biogas appeal of their Certificate of Lawfulness (issued by West Sussex County Council) to be heard 12-13th May 2016. http://www.plaistowandifold.org.uk/

2016-02-06 10:36:31 +0000

The Director and major share-holder of Crouchland Biogas Ltd, Ewen 'Angus' Cameron, is the first cousin of the PRIME MINISTER's late father. Other 'Cameron' share-holders of Crouchland Biogas Ltd are Angus Cameron's brother, Christopher 'Andrew' Cameron and his wife Gabrielle. This is, no doubt, of great interest to many.

2016-02-06 10:34:59 +0000

In mid-2015 the Prime Minister announced measures to deal with the over-allocation of renewable energy subsidies (Feed-in Tariff and Renewable Obligation schemes) for solar farms and onshore wind. So what of the taxpayer funded RHI scheme (Renewable Heat Incentive scheme) from which the Crouchland Biogas directors/shareholders obtain benefit?

2016-02-06 10:28:22 +0000

https://www.facebook.com/poreorg/posts/1675025949404010:0

2015-12-27 15:20:11 +0000

If you haven’t yet received a Planning Appeal Fund leaflet from Plaistow & Ifold -and- Kirdford Parish Councils, Plaistow Village Trust and P.O.R.E cut and past this link to the Plaistow & Ifold Parish Council website in your browser to download – including a copy of the Charity Gift Aid Declaration:
http://www.plaistowandifold.org.uk/FINAL%20Appeal%20Fund%20A5%204th%20Nov%202015.pdf

2015-12-17 14:18:15 +0000

https://ifolduk.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/parish-council-appeal/

2015-12-17 14:17:17 +0000

BREAKING NEWS FROM P.O.R.E Crouchland Biogas Ltd, have been called to a Public Inquiry by the Transport Commissioner – for suspected breaches to their Operator’s licence, effectively using Crouchland Farm as an unauthorised Operating Centre. Click this link to read more:
https://www.facebook.com/poreorg/posts/1659644197608852:0
Follow P.O.R.E for updates: www.facebook.com/poreorg

2015-11-14 09:15:04 +0000

https://ifolduk.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/planning-appeal-fund.jpg

2015-11-14 09:14:30 +0000

Register with P.O.R.E to receive updates and find out about the Plaistow & Ifold Parish Council, Kirdford Parish Council, The Plaistow Village Trust and P.O.R.E Planning Appeal Fund.
http://www.pore.org.uk

2015-11-14 09:13:51 +0000

Crouchland Biogas have now submitted 4 Appeals to The Planning Inspectorate. They're appealing the two Enforcement Notices issued by Chichester District Council (July 2015); the Retrospective Planning refusal by WSCC planning committee (3rd March 2015 ) and the Certificate of Lawful Use determined by WSCC planning committee (29th September 2015).

APP/L3815/C/15/3133236 Enforcement Notice Appeal: installation of a biogas digestion tank (etc)... LEAD CASE

APP/L3815/C/15/3133237 Enforcement Notice Appeal: change of use to a mixed use for agriculture and...

APP/P3800/W/15/3134445 Planning Appeal ( W ): Proposed upgrade of an existing anaerobic digestion...

APP/P3800/X/15/3137735 Lawful Development Certificate Appeal: The use of the items of operational development...

2015-10-26 11:59:25 +0000

Despite refusal of retrospective planning and an amended Certificate of Lawful Use issued (excluding the conditioning and export of biogas; the importation of waste and any other materials for anaerobic digestion; -and- many items of unlawful development); Crouchland have lodged appeals with the Planning Inspectorate against the 2 Enforcement Notices issued by Chichester District Council 16th July 2015 (to dismantle all equipment installed without planning permission and to stop operating as a commercial biogas plant); and retrospective planning refusal by West Sussex County Council 3rd March 2015. It's expected that Crouchland will also appeal the Certificate of Lawful Use.
PLAISTOW & IFOLD PARISH COUNCIL, KIRDFORD PARISH COUNCIL, PLAISTOW VILLAGE TRUST AND P.O.R.E ARE UNITED IN OPPOSITION TO THE APPEALS.

2015-10-19 15:55:35 +0100

Write to the Planning Inspectorate by 23Oct2015 to object the Crouchland Biogas appeal of 2 Chichester District Council enforcement notices. For help download a word doc format. Included are 3 reference nos. that must be quoted on each letter page. You must mail 3 copies of your letter.
click here for Word 97-2004 Document (.doc) letter
https://ifolduk.wordpress.com/2015/10/19/dont-forget-letter-to-the-planning-inspectorate-by-23rd-oct-re-crouchland/planning-inspectorate-crouchland-word-97-2004-document-doc/
OR;
click here for .docx Document format (.docx)
https://ifolduk.wordpress.com/2015/10/19/dont-forget-letter-to-the-planning-inspectorate-by-23rd-oct-re-crouchland/planning-inspectorate-crouchland-biogas/

2015-10-19 15:53:46 +0100

Please write to the Planning Inspectorate to object the Crouchland Biogas appeal of 2 Chichester District Council enforcement notices. The planning Inspectorate must receive your letter by 23 Oct 2015. Download a word document formats to help you write your letter.
Included are the “3 references” that must be quoted on each page of your letter. You must mail “3 copies” of your letter.

click here for the Letter to the Planning Inspectorate re: Crouchland Biogas Word 97-2004 Document (.doc)
https://ifolduk.wordpress.com/2015/10/19/dont-forget-letter-to-the-planning-inspectorate-by-23rd-oct-re-crouchland/planning-inspectorate-crouchland-word-97-2004-document-doc/
OR;
click here for the Letter to the Planning Inspectorate re: Crouchland Biogas .docx Document format (.docx)
https://ifolduk.wordpress.com/2015/10/19/dont-forget-letter-to-the-planning-inspectorate-by-23rd-oct-re-crouchland/planning-inspectorate-crouchland-biogas/

2015-10-16 16:03:33 +0100

Crouchland Biogas have appealed the Chichester District Council 2 enforcement notices. It’s important people write to the Planning Inspectorate by the 23rd October 2015 and state your objection. You MUST send 3 COPIES of your written letter -AND- quote each of the following 3 reference numbers on each page of your letter:
APP/L3815/C/15/3133236
APP/L3815/C/15/3133237
Chichester District Council Case Number: PS/13/00015/CONCOU

Address: Mr Ben White, The Planning Inspectorate, 3/23 Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN
Alternatively Email, but remember, quote all 3 reference numbers: [email protected]

2015-10-09 15:17:15 +0100

Crouchland Biogas have Appealed 2 enforcement notices issued by Chichester District Council. We OBJECT to the unauthorised development of the site, from an on-farm Anaerobic Digestion facility to generate electricity; to an industrial-scale operation producing gas and digestate exported by tanker, with huge importations of waste and other material. If granted consent HGV movements will be year-in/year-out and give Crouchland potential to expand further. Even if you’ve already written to WSCC or to CDC, please write now to the Planning Inspectorate by the 23rd October 2015: Mr Ben White, The Planning Inspectorate, 3/23 Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN OR Email The Planning Inspectorate [email protected] You must send 3 copies of your letter and on each page quote: the Planning Inspectorate Reference Ros. APP/L3815/C/15/3133236 –&– APP/L3815/C/15/3133237 –&– CDC Case No: PS/13/00015/CONCOU