Proposed bio-gas tanker "off-loading facility" to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to inject "renewable" gas into the national gas distribution network.

At: Southern Gas Network (SGN) Depot, Bletchley Road

Application Reference: 24/02423/VRC 

A "Section 73" application has been made for what is misleadingly described by Buckinghamshire Council as a "variation of condition 2 (transport statement) relating to application 20/03539/APP" but which if approved would result in a new planning permission. As more information becomes available this webpage will be updated. Last updated 12th September 2024. 

We are in contact with our new MP Callum Anderson and also adjoining West Bletchley Council and Bletchley & Fenny Stratford Town Council and the three Ward Councillors on Buckinghamshire Council that represent Newton Longville. It is Buckinghamshire Council that will make a decision on this application.

The applicants Acorn Bioenergy Ltd want to double the amount of gas stored on site from 15 to 30 tonnes with the capacity of storage in the tankers increases from 9,000 scm (standard cubic metres) to 15,000 scm. But they say don't worry, each bay will only get "4 loads a day or 8 movements per day, a reduction from 6 loads or 12 movements per day" - oh but that "the only other difference in the operation of the Site will be the decant time which will increase from 4 to 6 hours per lorry load, because of the increased capacity of every lorry".

HOW TO OBJECT:

You may view the application online using the link: 24/02423/VRC and make comments on it. You may also view what others have said in their comments on the application. 

Or, search on the Buckinghamshire Council planning applications website using the above reference number, or write to Buckinghamshire Council, Planning Services, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF.

If you have difficulty accessing the online system, you can email your comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  State in your email that you were unable to access their web site, and ask them to acknowledge acceptance of your comments by email in view of this.

WHAT TO OBJECT TO:

Use points that YOU most object to using your own words. The personal touch in what you say adds considerable weight to our well-founded objections to this appalling proposal.

• Refer to the 1,400+ overwhelming objections to the original application.
• Increased concerns about highways issues with the volume of gas to be transported through the village rising from 9,000 scm (standard cubic meters) to 13,000 scm.
• Refer in particular to the risk of an accident at the crossroads, under the railway bridge and at the entrance/exit to the site.
• Refer to how close some residential properties are to the public road along which the HGVs would be passing.
• Increased concerns about the risk represented by the site itself where the volume of gas potentially being stored goes up from 15 to 30 tonnes.
• Refer to the close proximity of residential properties (Bletchley Road and the Racecourse estate). Query whether all Environment Agency (EA) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements are going to be met and whether there might be any future planning issues in the immediate area around the site should the development go ahead.
• Concerns about environmental issues linked to flood risk. Query whether the Environment Agency have been fully consulted -see below for letters from EA on the original application.
• Note concerns raised by Network Rail and refer to the disruption in this area we’ve already had with the East West Rail rebuild and the need now to protect the rail line.

WHO CAN OBJECT:

• Anyone - please encourage everyone in your household to object as well as friends and relatives.
• Multiple objections can be submitted by an individual and by different members of the same household.

WHEN TO OBJECT:

• Objections should be submitted by Monday 16th September, BUT Buckinghamshire Council MUST take into account any comments received up to the point where a decision is made on the application, so even if you miss the current deadline please submit your objections, but ideally please submit by 16th September.

Thanks to everyone who has already taken the time to object to this application, please encourage others to do so. The parish council considered this at a special meeting on 9th September 2024 following a very well attended public meeting, and unanimously agreed to object to the application and to seek specialist advice. 

You may also wish to contact your MP and Buckinghamshire Council ward councillors and ask them to get involved.
Callum Anderson MP: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Your three Buckinghamshire Council Ward Councillors are:
Cllr Iain MacPherson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cllr Jilly Jordan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cllr Phil Gomm This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Concerns with the original application included those related to additional large HGV traffic entering and leaving the gas depot and whether it was safe for a large volume of hazardous gas to be stored so close to a residential area. 

The proposed increase in the capacity of the vehicles that would be transiting through the village and a doubling of the amount of gas that could be stored at the depot off Bletchley Road therefore needs to be considered very seriously.

The proposed slight reduction in vehicle movements does not overcome the more significant proposal to DOUBLE the gas storage on site to 30 tonnes. This remains a poorly thought out proposal in a very unsuitable location, so close to houses.

The Parish Council believes this means the site becomes "a hazardous site" and there is then a defined area around it where development is controlled and any such planning application has to be submitted to the HSE who have to approve it. Specialist advice is sought on how best to object to the application. Please object now using your own words, if need some ideas of what to say look at other objection already submitted.

The size of this control area could include the whole village and homes on the Bletchley side of the railway.

Environment Agency

On the original application the Environment Agency wrote on 10 November 2020 with the Environment Agency position saying "In the absence of an acceptable flood risk assessment (FRA) we object to this application and recommend that planning permission is refused." Following submission of a further flood risk assessment and the applicants stating a Hazardous Substance Application is not required (as no more the 15,000 tonnes to be stored on site) the Enviroment Agency wrote again on 27 May 2021 withdrawing their objection, subject to detailed conditions. The two letters can be downloaded below.

Environment Agency letter of 10 November 2020

Environment Agency letter of 27 May 2021

The original planning application 20/03539/APP was submitted in October 2020.  A various changes including removal of a gas flare and removal of storage of propane on site, was approved 18 months later by Buckinghamshire Council in May 2022 despite over 1,400 objections including from our then MP Greg Smith and Milton Keynes City Council.

What is biogas? 

See website of The Official Information Portal on Anaerobic Digestion and Wikipedia 

Site Location Plan

Useful general guidance about commenting on planning applications is available from the links below:
CPRE Campaign to Protect Rural England: How To Respond To Planning Applications: an 8-step guide 
FOE Friends of the Earth: Planning Applications: a campaigner’s guide 

 Lighting Assessment Residential Receptor Location Plan