Our energy planning team has secured planning permission for a major anaerobic digestion facility in Chorley, delivering a significant energy infrastructure project following a complex green belt designation case.
The original application and subsequent appeal were submitted to Lancashire County Council on behalf of WCK Farming.
The large-scale facility, located on land adjacent to existing dairy operations, will process agricultural manures and crop feedstocks to generate renewable biomethane for direct injection into the National Transmission System.
At full capacity, it is expected to produce around 100 GWh of biomethane annually, enough to heat approximately 8,000 homes. It will also generate digestate fertiliser to support local farming operations and circular agricultural practices.
Despite being located within the green belt, the site qualified as grey belt land, as it did not strongly contribute to key green belt purposes such as preventing sprawl or settlement merging. However, we still had to demonstrate that Very Special Circumstances (VSCs) existed to justify the proposal.
NFU Energy prepared a sustainability assessment which played a key role in quantifying the environmental benefits and supporting the overall planning balance. With additional support from Kings Chambers (barristers) and Stephenson Halliday (landscape consultants).
On approval, it was noted that the benefits of the scheme clearly outweigh the identified harm, including significant renewable energy generation, carbon reduction, support for the rural economy, and contributions to national energy security and net zero targets.
Andrew Corrin, associate at PWA, said: “Landing approval for a development of this scale in the green belt is a huge achievement that reflects the strength of the case presented and brings forward a major renewable energy project in a prime location.
“This is a great result for both the client and the project team and offers insight into the evolving application of grey belt policy. Alongside our partners, we’re pleased to have supported a project that will make a real contribution to renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.”
Eirinn Rusbridge, senior project engineer at NFU Energy, added: “We’re proud to have supported this project by clearly demonstrating its real-world benefits and alignment with national strategy.
“Projects like this show how anaerobic digestion can cut carbon, strengthen energy security, and support farm businesses. It’s a great example of how well-sited anaerobic digestion can contribute to net zero, energy security and a more resilient rural economy.”