HGV concerns over mining bid
PKC worry at impact of traffic on tourist spot
Perth and Kinross Council has raised a “significant health and safety concern” about plans to restore a massive mine which could bring about 500 HGV movements near Loch Leven EVERY DAY.
Local authority planning officer Steve Callan has written to Fife Council saying Hargreaves Services’ bid to bring the former Westfield open cast coal mine back to life has failed to consider the impact this number of HGV movements will have on Kinross-shire’s most popular tourist attraction.
The plans to “regenerate” the site as a waste-fired power plant have been welcomed in Fife but on this side of the border Portmoak Community Council has lodged an objection stating the projected number of HGV movements will have “an excessive and harmful” effect on the region’s roads and its environment.
Backing up the community council’s objection Mr Callan wrote to Fife Council saying: “Loch Leven is internationally recognised for its landscape and biodiversity ... and is a popular tourist attraction, in particular the recently completed Heritage Trail which provides a walking and cycling loop around Loch Leven.
“For three kilometres the B9097 road is within a kilometre of the southern shore of Loch Leven and just 250 metres from the Heritage Trail.
“The applicant’s environmental statement does not examine the impact of the proposal and in particular what the predicted HGV movements will have on the biodiversity status of Loch Leven and on visitors to it, in particular those using the Heritage Trail.
“The applicant’s environmental statement also does not examine the impact of the proposal and in particular what the predicted HGV movements will have on the tourist facility at Vane Farm Nature Reserve.
“Currently visitors cross the B9097 road from the car park to the
Members of the Northern Lights baton twirling team facility but our transport planner has raised a significant health and safety concern about an average of nearly 43 HGVs using the B9097 per hour.
“Without a restriction on tonnage per annum, HGV movements and delivery hours please also consider this a holding objection to the proposal.
“Should Fife Council look to approve the application without clearing our objection, it will be required to be referred to the Scottish Ministers for a potential call-in.”
The PA understands PKC is currently considering the applicant’s rebuttal to its objection and once PKC has issued a response both documents will be published on Fife Council’s website.