PLANS to build an anaerobic digester on a north Pembrokeshire dairy farm have been given the green light.

The proposal from Mr M Carey was discussed by the National Park’s Development Management Committee on Wednesday (September 30).

He sought permission to install an anaerobic digester at Coedwynog, Felindre Farchog.

The system is designed to process 20,000 tonnes of waste a year to produce 500kw of energy. The input comprises 12,000 tonnes of slurry waste from the dairy herd (550 cows plus followers), and 8,000 tonnes of solid waste, made up of silage waste, bedding and green crops.

Recommending conditional approval, the case officers’ report said the proposal “will reduce pollution and the smells associated with slurry spreading from the local area, while generating a significant amount of renewable energy.”

Nevern Community Council backed the plans, but the authority received 10 letters from objectors about the size of the digester and the precedent it could set in the area.

Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, Davina Macguire raised concerns about the digester's close proximity to Rhydoferiad.

She said: “I understand the need to deal effectively with the slurry, to diversify and to provide a renewable energy source, but I cannot understand why such an enormous facility is being proposed.

“It will have three major impacts on Rhydoferiad: the potential for interfering with the water supply, the noise, dust, traffic and visual impact during the construction, which is likely to last two years, and a massive loss of amenity once this industrial size facility is up and running.”

Opening the debate, David Ellis said: “Bio digesters are going to become a very big thing in the countryside over the next 10 years.

“I’m absolutely staggered at the siting of this one. I think the impact on the neighbours is incredible and I cannot believe that there isn’t a more appropriate site on the farm, which will better screened.

“I will not be supporting this application; it is utterly in the wrong place.”

Cllr Paul Harries said: “Anaerobic digestion is the way forward to deal with slurry and we’ve got to allow this to happen.

"On this particular farm I think it will relieve the problems that they are getting with slurry leaching out into the waterways.

"This is a responsible way of dealing with an age old problem and I will move the recommendation for approval.”

Cllr Harries' motion was seconded by Cllr Mike James who said the proposal was “a positive way forward for the future of farming.”

The vote was 12 members in favour and just one against.