Turning up heat
Incinerator battle goes on
Politicians and residents joined forces last week to submit further objections to a planned incinerator in Hamilton.
Thousands have signed petitions against Clean Power Properties’ plans to build the plant on Whistleberry Road, Whitehill.
The fight against the incinerator – with an emissions stack more than double the height of the town’s mausoleum – has grown and residents in neighbouring communities have also now submitted objection letters.
Phil Skyes, chairman of Hamilton Energy Recovery Action Group (HERAG), who are against the proposals, said: “I have to say how impressed I have been by the efforts of so many communities to fight these proposals.
“Despite the reason for the campaign, it has been a pleasure to meet so many people from across Lanarkshire and to see the passion that folk have for their communities.
“The desire of these people – and there are so many more than I imagined there would be when we re-started the campaign – to create thriving communities with jobs, with community spirit, with equality of attainment, with accessible greenspace and with the facilities that any community needs, has been humbling and gives us even more determination.”
The group’s original campaign against the proposals involved Bothwell and Whitehill. They have now gained the support of community councils throughout South Lanarkshire and beyond.
Clean Power Properties met opposition to their original incinerator plans at the site of the former Craighead School back in 2013 and a campaign was launched against the proposals.
South Lanarkshire Council refused the application but the Scottish Government overturned that decision in 2015.
A new application has been put in by Clean Power Properties, who say the development will represent an estimated £100 million investment in the local economy and will generate around 150 jobs during construction and 30 full-time jobs once operational.
The new proposal would increase the size and output of the site, with the maximum height of the structure increasing from 35m to 95m.
Campaigners say other incinerators have already been approved at Polmadie and Carnbroe, and local authorities need to consider a ‘toxic triangle’ if the one planned for Hamilton gets the go-ahead.
Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, whose constituency also covers Blantyre, has contacted the Scottish Government.
She said: “I have been happy to support the great grassroots work done within my constituency on this issue by both Halfway Community Council and Blantyre Community Council. Along with the Hamilton Energy Recovery Action Group, and other community organisations, over 6000 objections have now been lodged with the council against these plans.
“There is still time to lodge objection letters and these can be obtained from any of the above organisations, or can be signed at my constituency office at 85 Main Street, Rutherglen.”
Clean Power Properties have hosted a series of public consultation events in Blantyre, Bothwell and Hamilton.
Commenting on the submission of the planning application, a spokesman for Clean Power Properties previously told the Advertiser: “We have submitted a planning application on a location that is an allocated industrial site and therefore ideally suited to the proposal.
“There is already a planning consent for an energy recovery facility at this location and the principle of the use is established. We shall continue to consult with the wider local community and are keen to set out the facts behind the plans.”
The deadline for objections is October 10.