Anaerobic digestion facility at Suez, Lower Eccleshill Road, Darwen

“The site is bounded to the south by a disused railway and beyond lies an open field. The northern boundary is bounded by a public footpath which runs from east to west linking Lower Eccleshill with Davy Field Farmhouse. The eastern boundary is formed by a combination of trees and hedgerows beyond which agricultural land is located.”

“The site is identified as an Employment Commitment Site with planning permission (Suez ADF, 10/22/1006) in the Local Plan 2021 – 2037 – ref. E240. It is also an allocated site for large scale-built waste management facilities in the adopted Lancashire Joint Minerals and Waste Local Plan, supporting waste type development with capacities of up to 330,000 tonnes per year.”

“Planning permission granted under LPA reference 10/22/1006 was issued on 3rd March 2023 for the “Demolition of existing waste management operations, relocation of the waste transfer station and materials recycling facility and erection of Anaerobic Digestion Facility (ADF)” The planning application was supported by an Environmental Statement (ES), as development subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment, due to its type and scale.”

“The ADF is yet to commence, and no conditions attached to the (original) permission have been discharged. Condition no. 1 of the permission requires the development to be commenced by 3rd March 2026, including discharge of conditions which are required to be discharged prior to commencement of the development.”

“Public consultation Consultation was carried out by display of a site notice and publication of a press notice, published 17 th September 2025. No comments were received.”

“RESOLVED – Approved subject to the conditions highlighted in the Director’ Report and the conditions in the Update Report:”

“Prior to the commencement of any above ground works in the Phase 2 development, as shown on drawing Ler-PLN22-0625-01a, and notwithstanding the submitted details, written and illustrative details, including colours and textures, of the external walling, roofing and window materials shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be implemented in strict accordance with the approved details.”