Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Residents have their say over waste plant
Packed school meeting
More than 150 residents were in attendance as passionate and informed views were shared at a public meeting on the proposed energy from waste plant at Carnbroe.
A packed Carnbroe Primary School was the setting for the gathering, which was called by Coatbridge MSP Fulton MacGregor on the proposed changes to the facility’s planning permission.
Mr MacGregor had earlier conducted a household survey, online and by post, to canvass opinion on the latest plans – which revealed “88.71 per cent of responses were against [the proposals] and 9.48 per cent have concerns” – but was keen to hear from locals in person.
Attendees also had the chance to hear from the Monklands Residents Against Pyrolysis Plant group’s leader Maggie Proctor, SEPA representative Chris Davey and Colin Paterson from CoGen – the developers behind the proposed changes.
Following a short outline from each member of the panel, which included Mr Davey confirming that SEPA were currently objecting to the plan, there were several questions from the residents in the hall.
Among the concerns raised were the safety of local residents and the increased volume of traffic and noise as a result of an expanded operation.
Mr Paterson confirmed that he was arranging for a public information event to be run by the company in the near future to further inform the community about CoGen’s plans going forward.
Agreement was made on the night that a “liaison group” would be established to ensure regular dialogue between the company and the Carnbroe public.
Commenting after the “hugely successful meeting”, Mr MacGregor told the Advertiser: “I am absolutely delighted that such a large number of local people turned out to hear from the panellists and raise their own concerns about the plans for the energy from waste plant.
“There have been further applications to vary the initial plans for the site, and it was important that local people were able to ask questions before deciding whether to make representations to the planning process.
“It was clear from the survey, and again from the meeting, that people are very worried about the health implications of this plant being built so close to their homes.
“I will continue to engage with the people of Carnbroe, CoGen and the local authority to ensure that the voice of the community is heard.”
Maggie Proctor added: “I am pleased that the local people had the opportunity to make their views clear to the representative from CoGen.
“We have been fighting this proposal for almost 10 years on behalf of the whole of Monklands and we will continue to oppose any plans for an incinerator.
“I look forward to being part of the liaison group and further discussions with CoGen, where I will continue to make clear our opposition to these plans.”