A CONTROVERSIAL application for a proposed anaerobic digestion plant at Ramsbottom’s Fletcher Bank Quarry has been withdrawn temporarily just days before it was scheduled to go before Bury’s planning committee.

The move by Peel Environmental comes after local authority officers asked for clarification over certain information.

However, bosses say the application, which has sparked a wave of local opposition, will be resubmitted as soon as possible.

Originally, the proposal had been due to be considered by Bury Council’s planning members in October.

But the council said that, due to the complexity of the application and because of the number of responses to the plans, extra time was required to consider it. Instead, the decision was postponed until next Tuesday.

But this week, Kieran Tames of Peel Environmental said: “Officers have asked for clarification on information that has already been submitted.

“Following discussions with council officers, and for procedural reasons, the current application has been withdrawn and a new one will be submitted.”

The Bury Times understands the clarification relates to existing information that is already part of the planning application and as yet no date has been given for the resubmission of the application.

Peel wants to build an anaerobic digestion centre, that creates electricity by using food by-products such as feedstock in a complex process. If permission is granted, renewable energy firm Tamar Energy would build and run the facility.

Residents of Ramsbottom, Shuttleworth and Turn Village established the group Ramsbottom Against Waste Site (RAWS) to challenge the development.

Those in favour say that the plant will help to produce energy with fewer carbon emissions, while opponents fear the plant could create noise, extra traffic and bad odours.

Responding to this week’s news, Ramsbottom councillor Ian Bevan said: “I am delighted that the planning application for an anaerobic digestion plant in Ramsbottom has been withdrawn.

“Following the 78-page objection document and other supplementary documents that our protest group lodged with Bury Council, and the reports of various statutory consultees, the planning officers agreed that additional information and surveys were needed to respond to concerns that have been raised in connection with the proposed plant and its operation.

“I am hoping, however, that Peel and Tamar will have a rethink after the wave of protest about this application. In the end, over 1,000 Ramsbottom residents have objected.”

Nicole Haydock, joint co-ordinator of the Bury Green Party, commented: “We had objected to this on environmental grounds and that is precisely the reason why the application has been withdrawn.”

She said that, although the party was in favour of reneweable energy, they could not possibly support something she described as “scientifically unsound”.

l Last month Peel Environmental was granted permission to increase the height of inert infilling in the northern part of the quarry, which currently stands at around 212 metres. The proposals will involve 950,000 cubic metres of waste being imported to the site, at a rate of 100,000 cubic metres a year.