Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
New planning bid on way for pyrolysis site
Legal questions prompt a withdrawal
Proposals for changes at the controversial consented pyrolysis site in Carnbroe, including increasing the height of a ventilation stack and revising the design of a building, are to be resubmitted through a new planning application.
An application to revise aspects of the existing planning conditions had been submitted to North Lanarkshire Council in September; but has now been withdrawn in its current form following “legal questions”.
Consent for an energy from waste plant at the former Shanks and McEwan site was first granted in May 2011 – on appeal to Scottish Government reporters, after North Lanarkshire councillors had unanimously refused permission on grounds including health concerns and traffic issues.
The recent application had sought approval for alterations including “a reduction in the footprint [and] changes to the design of the building, an increase in the height of the ventilation stack to 80m, an increase in the gross energy output to 27 megawatts [and] increase in the throughput of waste fuel [by 24,000 tonnes] to 204,000 dry tonnes per annum”.
Fulton MacGregor, the Coatbridge & Chryston MSP, had lodged an objection; as did long-term campaigners Monklands Residents Against Pyrolysis Plant (MRAPP), who “strongly opposed” the application due to concerns about health, traffic and impact on residents’ amenity and the environment.
A North Lanarkshire spokesperson said: “The council received a planning application from North Lanarkshire Bio Power Ltd in September 2017 which sought permission to change the technical aspects of the planning consent for [the] energy from waste facility at Carnbroe.
“The application was subject to public consultation following advertisement in the local press, and to date the planning service has received five representations from four parties.
“Legal questions on the nature of the application were raised and, following discussions between the council and the applicants, they have confirmed that they will be withdrawing the current application and submitting a new application.”