1 February 2005

BANHAM POULTRY TO TAKE RENEWABLE ENERGY PLANS TO APPEAL

Banham Poultry will take its application to develop a pioneering renewable energy plant outside Attleborough to statutory appeal, and is confident the appeal will succeed.

On 3 December 2004, Norfolk County Council's Planning Committee refused the application, even though the plans had already secured Environment Agency approval and were specifically encouraged in a technical report commissioned by the County Council itself.

The grounds for refusal were not made clear at the Committee meeting. However, Banham Poultry finally received written confirmation on 12 January 2005 as follows:

'Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the development proposed would not give rise to an unacceptable detrimental impact on the amenities of the local community as a result of odour.'

The decision to appeal against the County Council's refusal has been taken following detailed consultation with planning lawyers. Commenting on the decision, Banham Poultry Director Robin Goram said:

'When our application was turned down by the Planning Committee, we commented that the decision appeared to have been taken on political rather than technical grounds. The legal advice we have since received confirms this view, considering the weight of technical evidence in favour of the application, and the clear Government guidance that renewable energy developments such as this should be positively encouraged by local planning authorities.'

'We remain confident that our plans will succeed, and so provide a lifeline to Banham Poultry and the 750 people we employ. As well as safeguarding local jobs, it will help secure three key objectives for the Norfolk area - reducing waste, increasing renewable electricity supplies and cutting CO2 emissions.'

– last updated 1.2.05