Controversial plans for huge bioenergy plant in rural Northamptonshire location approved after deciding vote needed
Plans for a controversial bioenergy plant near a rural Northamptonshire village have been approved for the second time on a split decision, after the chair was forced to cast the deciding vote.
The proposals for the renewable energy development near Evenley were first given the green light in September 2025, but were called back in to West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) after concerns were raised that planning law was not properly followed.
The facility, known as Astwick Green, will use an anaerobic digester to transform feedstock into biomethane, which is a renewable gas.
The applicant, Acron Bioenergy Ltd, said the process would use around 21,000 tonnes of farmyard manure and dairy slurry, 41,000 tonnes of maize and 21,000 tonnes of straw every year. They said this would generate enough energy to heat more than 8,000 homes.
Speaking in objections to the plans, Cathy Ellis, chair of Evenley Parish Council, told planning committee members: “All we have asked is that the country’s democratic process be followed. We were right all along that this application should have been tested against West Northamptonshire Council’s own waste and minerals plan.
“It’s not in an industrial location or in the waste central spine area, but [the council] can argue why this green field site, just 300 metres from residents’ homes, can fit.”
Sebastian Charles, who said he was acting as a solicitor on behalf of the objectors, also raised concerns about the catchment area for sourcing feedstock and the potential for waste to be exported long distances to the site.
He added: “If it was a small facility to serve a farm, or even a local group of farms, that would be one thing, but this is a huge industrial facility.
“An industrial-scale waste plant should be in an industrial location.”
However, local farmer Laura Weston spoke in support of the plans, saying her family would benefit from supplying the facility with elements for the feedstock and receiving digestate.
She said: “The future of family farming in Northamptonshire is at risk unless we take steps to support those who provide our food.
“That’s where Astwick Green comes in. It allows us to change to survive – still growing Britain’s food, but with stable income, local fertiliser, and better rural job prospects.
“The proximity to local farms is essential, the break crops we supply and the fertiliser we receive won’t travel far on local roads.”
Daniel Lambert, who spoke on behalf of Acorn Bioenergy, told councillors: “Our application has stringent safeguards to ensure that Astwick Green can be delivered without harm to our neighbours – no smell, no dust, no noise nuisance.
“Astwick Green is a renewable energy proposal, not a waste management development.”
The planning committee asked for extra conditions to be applied to the facility, which would ensure that a minimum of 50 percent of the feedstock used came from within 15km of the site, and a limit on the peak vehicle movements.
Going to the vote, four members voted in favour of the development and another four members voted against. The casting vote went to the chair of strategic planning, Councillor Scott Packer, to break the deadlock. He voted in favour of the application, meaning WNC once again granted the site permission, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.