Diversifying Jonathan Rigby wants to set up a special plant that could provide electricity for more than 1,000 homes at Carr Farm, Lodge Lane, Bryning with Warton.

The renewable energy project - using maize - was recommended for approval by planning officers.

But the scheme was put back after going before Wednesday's Fylde Borough Council development control committee

Opponents raised concerns about large vehicles using narrow country lanes and bridle paths.

There was also concern about potential expansion of the site.

The Anaerobic Digestion plants are already common in Northern Europe.
Several similar projects are believed to be in the pipeline within the Fylde.

However Carr Farm would be the first in the North of England.

AD is a process that converts organic farm wastes and energy crops into a biogas, which can be used to generate electricity and heat.

The electricity will be exported to the grid and will provide sufficient energy to continuously power over 1,000 homes.

The residue from this process is a bio-fertiliser, which is returned to the land to grow the next season's energy crops.

Cattle slurry will be transported from Jonathan's farm to the digester and maize will be planted on the now empty fields that surround Carr Farm.

St Annes-based local energy procurement and consultancy company, Inenco, has provided advice on the project and believes that the UK is on the verge of a tidal wave of such plants.

It was decided at the meeting to defer the plan to give council officers time to discuss concernes further with Mr Rigby and his associates.