Ironstone Energy Ltd have announced proposals to develop a new anaerobic digestion (AD) plant on
land owned by Buckminster Estate, located to the south of Sewstern/Gunby Road, east of Sewstern
village on the Lincolnshire/Leicestershire border.
The plant would produce green gas (biomethane) from a variety of energy crops grown as part of a
sustainable rotation in the local area. These energy crops and the digestate fertiliser by-product
returned to the farm, help to decarbonise farming activities and support resilient food crop
production.
The project would deliver a range of local benefits, including the creation of new green jobs during
construction and operation, a sizeable community fund, and a programme of biodiversity
enhancements together with native species planting as part of the landscaping scheme.
Ironstone Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Future Biogas Ltd, who have an existing portfolio of
12 similar facilities and are one of the most experienced operators of AD plants in the UK.
The site has been chosen in conjunction with Buckminster Estate, who would be supplying around
half of the crop inputs helping to reduce fossil fuel and artificial fertiliser use and building soil health.
The new plant would produce enough biomethane to heat a town roughly the size of Grantham. This
would replace fossil gas, which is mostly imported from outside the UK, while also cutting
greenhouse gas emissions. The plant will operate without subsidies, instead selling its gas, via the
gas grid, to corporate customers seeking to reduce their environmental impact.
The proposal includes a new access track linking to the B676 designed to minimise any impact of
farming traffic on the immediate local road network.
The plans can be viewed in person, along with an opportunity to meet the Ironstone Energy team,
at: Sewstern Village Hall, 59 Main St, Sewstern, Grantham NG33 5RQ on:
Tuesday 10th October 2023, 16.00 – 20.00
Wednesday 11th October 2023, 10.30 – 16.00
Information about the proposals is also available on the project website:
www.ironstoneenergy.co.uk, along with a copy of the materials which will be presented at the public
exhibition to view or download.
The project team are inviting local residents and stakeholders to give their feedback on the
proposals. These can be submitted either via www.ironstoneenergy.co.uk or by email at
enquiries@ironstoneenergy.com or by writing to: Freepost SEC NEWGATE UK LOCAL Ironstone
Energy Ltd. The team can also be contacted by telephone on: 01476 855095 (local rates apply).
Speaking about the proposals, Philipp Lukas, CEO of Future Biogas said:
“Working in partnership with Buckminster, Ironstone Energy’s AD plant would support the local
economy and the area’s farming community by creating jobs and demand for local crops, as well as
helping improve the UK’s energy security and food and farming’s transition to Net Zero.
“We think it’s important for this proposed plant to bring benefits to the local community and the
wider area. This plant would follow the model we’ve established across other sites of providing a
local community fund. Every year funds are provided to causes and projects that are important to
local people.”
Douglas Williams from Buckminster added:
“We’re looking forward to meeting members of the local community to discuss plans for this
anaerobic digestion plant. The public consultation events seek to inform and explain what is
proposed and why.
“We see the green gas proposal by Ironstone as one that can contribute significantly to more
regenerative farming operations, enhancing sustainable crop rotations, and orientation to economic,
social and environmental measures for the benefit of future generations.”
For more information visit: www.ironstoneenergy.co.uk
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