Plans for a 31-acre fertiliser plant on the edge of Haverhill are kicking up a stink with local residents, with more than 2,500 people voicing their opposition.
The Thurlow Estate and Acorn Bioenergy are proposing to develop a 31-acre composting plant on Spring Grove Farm on the edge of Haverhill.
The anaerobic digestion plant would be used to convert crops such as grass silage, slurry and poultry litter into methane gas for heating, transport and fertiliser purposes.
Though in their early stages, the plans would see five fermentation tanks installed on the site, standing at 16.5 metres high and 34 metres across in diameter each.
Head of opposition group 'Muck Off Acorn' Indy Wijenayaka, 44, has lived in Haverhill since 2016.
He says the Withersfield area is a "nice, tranquil place to live" and that the proposal would "fundamentally change the dynamic of the area".
Mr Wijenayaka, who is also a parish councillor, claims the site will bring hundreds of lorry movements through the village every week, increasing air pollution and traffic on the A1307.
"It would, without a question, be a blight on the landscape," he said.
"We didn't move here to be in the door step of an industrial plant."
Members of the parish council visited a similar site already operating in Euston last November and said the smell was one of the main problems they noticed.
"As soon as we opened our car doors we could smell it," said Mr Wijenayaka.
"In the summer time, that'll be considerably worse.
"How are we going to be able to enjoy a barbecue? How can we open our windows to stay cool?"
He added that he had already heard from neighbours who were planning on selling their property as a result of the digestion plant proposals.
"We shouldn't have to put up with it," he said.
"None of us expected this to land on our door step, so we need much more support in making sure we object as loudly as possible."
The Muck Off Acorn petition has garnered over 2,500 signatures and their GoFundMe page, used to pay for planning and legal services, stands at more than £8,000.
A representative for Acorn Bioenergy said: "Acorn's mission is to accelerate the UK's transition to renewable energy by producing a green gas for heating homes and powering HGVs.
"Acorn will also capture green, food grade CO2, a less carbon-intensive and cheaper alternative to fossil CO2.
"Additionally, the plant will produce digestate, a sustainable organic fertiliser, which improves soil health and nutrient uptake to improve food production."
They added that the company aims to heat over 100,000 homes and avoid emissions of over 400,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.
As for Muck Off Acorn's concerns, Acorn Bioenergy said: "Acorn is working with and listening to the concerns of the local community.
"The sites are chosen with great consideration of the surrounding environment, with the aim to minimise all potential impacts on neighbours."
They also noted concerns regarding the site becoming an eyesore, saying they will take advantage of "natural screening" which they claim will hide the new facilities at the southern, western and northern boundaries.
The representative said that they believe there will be many local benefits to the site, including the local supply of fertiliser which they say will improve soil health and prevent water pollution.
They added: "With experienced professionals in anaerobic digestion, engineering and agricultural sectors within the team, Acorn takes full responsibility for the entire scope of each project, from development through to construction and operations."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here