CONCERNS have been raised by residents opposed the creation of an facility to process farm crops in north Durham.

Hallwick Energy has submitted plans to Durham County Council to create the anaerobic digester on land near the Thomas Swann chemical plant on Rotary Way in Consett.

But the planning application has angered some of the residents who live nearby the proposed site. Concerns include smells from the plant and the heavy traffic it will generate.

Jane Turner, of Carrhouse Mews, Consett, said: “It is going to be ugly to look at and they do create smells. We have heard very little about the plans and I feel they are trying to rush it through.

“But it is going to have a quite a big effect on people around here.”

Yvonne Wilson, of Douai Drive, Delves Lane, is also opposed to the development and feels people have been kept in the dark about the proposal.

She said: “I would like to object most strongly. Why has there not been access to a public debate about such an important issue?

“What are the implications health, well being and safety for this proposed site so near to Consett town centre and all the surrounding housing estates?”

Harry Hoskyns-Abrahall, of Hallwick Energy, said the anaerobic digester is to process farm crops only and would not create a smell.

He said the gas flare is around five metres tall and will not be "obviously visible" in the context of the development or the surrounding industrial area.

Mr Hoskyns-Abrahall said: “The plant produces very little odour overall.

“No organic waste is to be processed on the site and the crop feedstock is stored and covered in such a way that seals it from the air which reduces degradation and odours to very minimal levels.

“The biological processes that the plant relies on are anaerobic, without oxygen, so no odour can escape from the digester.”

My Hoskyns-Abrahall said traffic movements would be minimal.

He added: “The main traffic movements would occur during the harvest period, when material is delivered to site to provide feedstock for the year.

“This means that the main volume of traffic will only be during a few weeks in the year, otherwise traffic will be limited to one to two cars entering or leaving the site per day.”

Durham County Council has not yet set a date for the matter to be discussed by councillors.