Bright new future on the horizon for Ludlow’s biodigester

Shropshire Council and Biocycle have named the Cwm Harry Land Trust as their preferred bidder to take over the running of its anaerobic digestion plant (or biodigester) situated on the Coder Road Business Park on the outskirts of Ludlow. 

The announcement has been made following recent evaluation of bids from a number of interested parties. 

The Biocycle company currently leases the anaerobic digestion plant from Shropshire Council. 

The bid put together by the Cwm Harry Land Trust was selected as being preferred over alternatives due to the community benefits outlined in their bid.  In addition to using the anaerobic digestion plant to generate electricity, Cwm Harry intend to use training and demonstration facilities provided at the premises in order to host and provide training courses to the anaerobic digestion industry. 

South Shropshire, and particularly Ludlow, is seen as being at the centre of the UK’s anaerobic digestion industry, having a number of the country’s leading anaerobic digestion companies in or near the area and a number of the digester plants installed locally. 

Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for waste, said:

“We chose Cwm Harry as our preferred bidder based on what their bid brought forward as benefits for the local community.  Not only will Cwm Harry look to continue to provide employment opportunities at the plant for local people, they are also looking to sell community shares in the plant and establish a local and possibly reduced electricity tariff available to residents in the area. 

Gwilym Butler, Chairman of Biocycle, said:

‘’We also liked the idea of using the facility as a venue for training courses as this will bring more visitors to the town, hopefully staying in nearby overnight accommodation and spending money with our local businesses.’’ 

Adam Kennerley, Chief Executive of the Cwm Harry Land Trust, said:

‘’We are very pleased that Biocycle and Shropshire Council has selected us as their preferred bidder for this exciting opportunity.  There is a lot of process to go through before we can formally take over the running of the anaerobic digestion plant; however, I’m very optimistic that this heralds a new beginning for its  future.   The Cwm Harry Land Trust is a community interest company and has charitable status and we are very much looking forward to having a presence in Ludlow’s community.’’ 

Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow South, said:

“I am delighted that we have safeguarded the future of what is seen as a leading centre for biodigester technology.” 

Detailed talks are underway with the Cwm Harry Land Trust with a view to installing the organisation  as the new operators of the digester and site early in the new year.