THE UK's first anaerobic digestion power station in Holsworthy could soon be heating premises on the town's industrial estate.

The biogas plant, run by Andigestion Ltd, has been given the go ahead to build two new storage tanks at the site at Higher Manworthy.

The move means the company will be able to export low grade heat and lift restrictions it had to impose on the amount of material being brought to the site.

The plant already takes waste from Heinz, pasty maker Ginsters and gum manufacturers Wrigleys, as well as West Devon, East Devon and Somerset councils.

The two additional liquid storage vessels, similar to those already at the plant, will be built within the site.

They include a digester storage tank, with a capacity of 5,000m3 which will be 30m in diameter and up to 14.3m high. And a treatment tank, with a 4,000m3 capacity which will be 17m in diameter with an overall height of up to 22m.

Concerns had been raised over the visual impact on neighbouring properties, traffic to the site and odour problems.

However, Stewart Redding, county development manager at Devon County Council, recommended that the application was granted, saying that the development would not be detrimental to the amenity of the area.

The plant receives agricultural manure and food waste materials which are processed by Anaerobic Digestion to produce biogas and liquid digestate.

The biogas is used as a fuel to generate about 1.43MW of renewable energy - 95% of which is fed into the National Grid.

The council was told that the biogas currently only generates enough heat for its own use, but is in talks with a local animal feed mill and with a third tank could export low grade heat which could benefit businesses on the nearby Holsworthy Industrial Estate.

The liquid digestate is used by farmers as a bio-fertiliser.

The company had to place restrictions on material brought to the site as its two existing digesters are approaching capacity to balance the chemical limits produced as part of the process.

It said it has had to turn away waste in order to maintain the health of the bacterial colony.

Andigestion Ltd also said that increased storage time with a third tank will enable greater recovery of biogas and significantly reduce the possibility of bad smells.

Devon County Council approved the plans with conditions which included painting the tanks green and additional screening on the northern boundary of the site.

A spokesman added: "The applicant was also reminded of the legal agreement already entered into regarding directing excess heat energy to local businesses where ever possible."