Incinerator objections
South Lanarkshire Council has received hundreds of objections against plans to erect an incinerator on Hamilton’s Whistle berry Road.
Blantyre Community Council have stepped up their campaign against the proposal, handing in 1600 letters to the authority this week.
Hundreds of objections have been lodged with South Lanarkshire Council against the proposed Hamilton incinerator.
Clean Power Properties has submitted a planning application with the authority for an energy recovery centre to be built on Whistleberry Road.
The development will represent an estimated £100million investment in the local economy and will generate around 150 jobs during construction and 30 full-time jobs once operational.
Clean Power Properties have hosted a series of public consultation events in Blantyre, Bothwell and Hamilton, but have been met with local resistance, notably from Blantyre Community Council.
A group of volunteers has spent the past week collecting objection letters from local homes and shops, handing in 1600 to South Lanarkshire Council on Tuesday (August 1).
The community council has also organised an online petition through change. org, which had 1297 supporters at the time of going to press. Group chairperson Michael Mcglynn said: “we were asked by the people that attended our recent public meeting to raise awareness of the proposals and gather objection in the town.
“Since then, we have worked with an amazing group of volunteers to get the word out. They gave up their time to knock doors, speak to people in the streets and in shops. They have gone over and above.
“However, there is more work to be done. For this final part of the campaign we need as many people to get involved as possible.
“If anyone is free to join us door knocking, or if they would like to sign an objection letter or sign the petition, visit our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ Blantyre Community Council.”
South Lanarkshire Council confirmed that 389 objections against the incinerator had been lodged, while “approximately 1700 pro forma letters received yesterday (Tuesday) are being processed. ”pauline Elliott, Head of Planning and Economic Development, said:“the formal deadline for comment is 21 days from the date an application is registered (28 days if the application has an Environmental Statement).
“Nevertheless, the council will accept representations up until five working days prior to the date of committee.
“However, in order for comments to be included in the report prepared for the committee they have to be received at least two weeks prior to the date on which the committee meets. No date for this has been set.”
Despite the backlash, Clean Power Properties is determined to go ahead with the proposal.
A spokesman said:“the site already has the benefit of planning permission for energy recovery and Clean Power Properties remains committed to delivering this much needed alternative to landfill. The project represents a multi million pound investment to South Lanarkshire and will bring significant local employment.”
The Hamilton Energy Recovery Action Group will hold a public meeting at Hamilton Accies’new Douglas Park on Thursday, August 24 from 6 until 8pm.