Plans for a biogas plant in East Winch proposed by Carrstone Renewables

An energy firm has revealed its plans to build a new biogas plant in a rural village.

Future Biogas, which already operates three facilities in Norfolk and Suffolk, wants to build a fourth in East Winch.

The project – under the name Carrstone Renewables – would use crops to produce biogas at a facility located south of the A47.

Fertiliser would also be produced as a by-product of the process, which the firm says can be provided to farms in the area.

Biogas is considered an environmentally friendly, renewable energy source, according to the National Grid.

It is produced through breaking down organic matter, and the fuel can be used to power vehicles, heat homes and generate electricity.

However, biogas plants have proved controversial in recent years, due to concerns about the smells they produce.

Some facilities use animal excrement and food scraps to create the fuel, which has led to complaints of bad odours from those living nearby - but Carrstone Renewable promises to be different to these facilities.

The company has said there will be “very little odour” produced from the site, as it will use energy crops rather than waste, creating an odourless gas, which it claims will have no detectable smell away from the site.

Energy crops used to produce biogas can include corn, millet and white sweet clover, which are grown by farmers to help replenish the soil through crop rotation.

Carbon dioxide produced by the plant will also be captured and stored.

Carrstone Renewable says it will operate 24 hours a day throughout the year to provide “continuous renewable energy”.

A traffic management plan is being developed to minimise disruption.

The energy company is currently seeking feedback for the proposal before formally submitting plans to West Norfolk Council.