Wyke Farms MD Rich Clothier said the rate hike was ruining investor confidence in AD plants Wyke Farms has joined more than 100 anaerobic digester operators in a group litigation against the government’s Valuation Office Agency for imposing “punitive” rate rises on the sector. The West Country-based cheesemaker said a revaluation of rates payable by renewable energy operators by the VOA in February had seen its AD plant’s rateable value rise by 91% year on year to £535k. After taking into account a 51.2p in the pound discount via the VOA’s non-domestic rate multiplier, Wyke’s AD plant rate bill would rise from £140k to £265k this year, said rating expert and litigation organiser Chris Handel.