A: This will depend on the approval of the funding for the project but it is anticipated that work will commence, subject to planning permission, in 2010.
Q: How long will it take to complete the building of the unit?
A: It is anticipated that this will take no longer than twelve months to complete, although some aspects will be finished before then.
Q: Once the unit is up and running how much heavy traffic will it generate?
A: As another Midland Pig Producers’ farm will be relocated from within the Parish boundaries, it is expected that the overall traffic impact will be reduced in the area.
Q: What assurances do you have that local residents will not have to put up with the normal smell associated with a pig farm?
A: There will be three systems in place to ensure that all the gasses are retained for the biogas plant. If one system should fail, the other two will still work, preventing the ammonia and gasses which cause ‘the smell’ escaping into the atmosphere.
Q: What level of noise will be created by the operation?
A: Any noise will be minimal and will not be heard over the constant background noise generated by the A50.
Q: Will the community benefit from the energy being produced, if so, how?
A: The generation of electricity will benefit everyone when environmentally friendly energy is supplied into the National Grid.
Q: Where will the household waste be coming from, is it safe and how will it be transported?
A: This will be supplied by local councils, using existing, proven, systems.
Q: What will be the visual impact of the unit when the building work is completed, from the road and/or the village?
A: Extensive screening and sympathetic design will reduce the impact from all roads, footpaths and all other vantage points. The impact will be far less than any development on Dove Valley Industrial Estate. Thorough impact assessments concluded that there will be no significant impact on the local environment. These assessments will be available for viewing when the planning application has been submitted.
Q: What jobs and business opportunities will be created for the local community?
A: All employment and contracts will be kept local whenever possible. It is anticipated that when completed the unit will create up to 18 new jobs.
Q: What is the possibility of any animals escaping from the unit and causing damage or accidents?
A: Security on site will be of the highest standards due to the Defra regulations for hygiene and disease control. The pigs will be kept in an enclosed environment and loading takes place via an indoor fenced area. There has not been a security problem at the existing site since it opened nearly 30 years ago.
Q: Is the Biogas processing plant a potential hazard and what safety precautions will be taken?
A: The process uses proven technology from around the world and has the highest safety standards.
Q: What consideration has been given to animal welfare?
A: The units have been designed with the help of several leading animal welfare groups to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare. MPP is part of the internationally recognised Genesis Quality Assurance scheme, which includes independent quarterly veterinary inspections