The Planning and Regulatory Committee of Worcestershire Council met on Tuesday 30 June 2026. The meeting's agenda included a significant planning application for an anaerobic digestion facility and a review of safety at sports grounds.

Proposed Anaerobic Digestion Facility at Court Farm, Hindlip Lane, Hindlip, Worcestershire

The committee was scheduled to consider a major planning application for a proposed anaerobic digestion facility for a biomethane gas to grid plant, including the creation of new access and haul roads from Hindlip Lane and ancillary works on land at Court Farm, Hindlip Lane, Hindlip, Worcestershire. The applicant, Stenergy (Worcester) Ltd, proposed a facility to process approximately 48,500 tonnes of commercial and household food waste annually, converting it into biomethane gas for export to the Cadent Gas Ltd gas network. The proposal included the demolition of two existing buildings, the use of three remaining buildings for ancillary offices, a control room, and a substation, alongside the erection of new buildings such as an unpacking building, pasteuriser building, various storage tanks, digester tanks, and a carbon dioxide liquefaction plant.

The report pack detailed the site's location within the Green Belt, its proximity to residential properties, businesses, and heritage assets, including the Grade II Listed Dairy at Court Farm and the Grade II* Listed Hindlip Hall. It also outlined the relevant national and local planning policies, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the National Planning Policy for Waste, the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy, and the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review.

Numerous consultations had been undertaken, with objections raised by County Councillor Seb James, County Councillor Andrew Cross, Hindlip, Martin Hussingtree & Salwarpe Parish Council, North Claines Parish Council, Warndon Parish Council, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, and West Mercia Police and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service. Concerns raised included potential impacts on residential amenity (noise, dust, odour, air quality, health), highway safety, the Green Belt, landscape character, visual impact, historic environment, ecology and biodiversity, water environment and flood risk, and the safety of critical infrastructure at Hindlip Park. Support for the application was noted from Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and County Waste Services.

The report also detailed the findings and recommendations from various consultees, including Worcestershire Regulatory Services, the County Ecologist, the Environment Agency, the Lead Local Flood Authority, the County Highways Officer, and Wychavon District Council's Conservation Officer. The Head of Planning and Transport Planning's report concluded that, subject to numerous conditions, the proposal was broadly in accordance with national policy and the Development Plan, and recommended that planning permission be granted.

Safety of Sports Grounds Review 2024/2026

The committee was also scheduled to receive a review of activities carried out by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) on behalf of the Directorate of Public Health concerning the Safety of Sports Grounds (SatSGs) legislation during the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons. This review covered designated and regulated sports grounds within Worcestershire, including Sixways Stadium (Worcester Warriors RFC), Aggborough Stadium (Kidderminster Harriers FC), The Grandstand at Worcester Racecourse, and the Victoria Ground (Bromsgrove Sporting FC). The report detailed the role of Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) in managing safety certificates and ensuring compliance with the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975, the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It highlighted specific activities and developments at each venue, including changes in ownership, league status, safety certificate updates, and inspections. The review also touched upon the provision of defibrillators at sports grounds and the non-statutory safety management advice provided to various events and venues. The Director of Public Health recommended that the review be noted and that the Council had successfully met its statutory duty in respect of Safety at Sports Grounds legislation during the period.