Nocton Fen

Anaerobic Digester

I see that Robert Beck of Nocton Fen Farms Ltd has applied for a change to the original planning application for the anaerobic digester on the Fen. This is now fully operational I understand.

The alteration is to seek permission to vary/remove 'Condition 3 of planning permission N42/0206/10' which Lincolnshire County Council put in place to restrict the type of 'feedstock' that fuels the digester.

The current application number is N42/0221/12 and can be viewed on the Lincolnshire County Council website: http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ via their planning search facility.
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Heavy Goods Vehicles

British Sugar

There seems to have been a rise in heavy goods vehicles using the village of late, many of which are tankers from British Sugar.  There are also other tankers (WG Tanker Hire - http://www.wgtanker.com/hiretankers.html) which may also be contracted by British Sugar and delivering to the depot at Bardney.

I seem to remember in previous years, we encountered a similar increase in heavy traffic at this time of year... and can only assume it is to do with the beet harvest and subsequent sugar production at Newark. I think this was raised with the British Sugar Bardney depot a couple of years ago and we were told the old sugar beet factory is now used for storage and repacking of product, hence the requirement for tanker deliveries of sugar.

Branston Potatoes

We also seem to be having a few more of these heavy goods vehicles as well, although the reason for this is less clear. One can only assume they are coming through from the A158 at Wragby to get to the depot at Branston.

Rase Distribution

Heavy goods vehicles from this company also use this route to and from their Bardney depot, but generally these appear quite randomly rather than in a compressed period, such as the British Sugar tankers.

Construction Traffic

There have also been a number of vehicles supplying materials for the new anaerobic digester site at Wasp's Nest. However, as the construction of this site appears to be nearing completion, the heavy goods traffic may cease before too long.

Speed

Whilst the local firms who use the route all year round are sensitive (in the main) to the village, by keeping the speed down and negotiating the 90 degree bends with due care, the same can't be said for the contract drivers of some other heavy vehicles. With many of the local children and parents navigating the narrow pavements to attend school, it can be quite nerve-racking when these juggernauts pass by with little room to spare.

Perhaps this should be raised with the Parish Council in order that a timely reminder can be considered for all Transport Managers?
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British Sugar

We often see the HGV tankers navigating our narrow village roads on their way out to Bardney, so these articles may be of interest.

British Sugar suffers £20m loss

'BRITISH Sugar has suffered losses of around £20 million, according to a trading statement from parent company Associated British Foods.'

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/arable/british-sugar-suffers-£20m-loss/37516.article

British Sugar drawn into ethanol plant dispute

'BRITISH Sugar has become drawn into an increasingly bitter labour dispute over the construction of a £200m bioethanol plant, near Hull.'

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/latest-news/british-sugar-drawn-into-ethanol-plant-dispute/38609.article
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