Incinerator plan sparks protests
Extra 500 lorries a day would pass Loch Leven
Campaigners say a planned waste incinerator near Kinross-shire would cause “environmental mayhem”.
A planning application to create a waste energy plant and incinerator at Westfield in Kinglassie has been submitted to Fife Council.
And residents in Kinrossshire have raised concerns on the adverse impact this would have on their area.
The plan is to transform the Westfield opencast mine, a 423-hectare site which has lain empty since 1998, to create a waste-burning facility and gasfuelled power plant.
The main access to the site would be along the B9097, which runs past the RSPB Loch Leven site and directly alongside the heritage trail.
At a meeting in Kinross hosted by the Scottish Green Party residents raised concerns about the noise and pollution associated with the plans, which could see up to 500
RSPB Loch Leven is home to birds including the Icelandic pink-footed goose lorries a day passing through don’t understand how anyone councillors react the same Kinross-shire to the site. can think that this is acceptable. way as the Perth and Kinross
Louise Batchelor, who lives in “We should be reducing the councillors did when an the town, said: “The application amount of waste we are creating incinerator was planned for may be over the border in in Scotland, not building new Perth city. Fife but the impact of HGVs facilities to burn it. “I sincerely hope that travelling to the site carrying “But the idea of 500 HGVs the councillors who vote waste will be felt on this side in running close to a bird on this matter think of the Kinross-shire.” sanctuary and along the Loch environment and the impact
Elsepth Maclachlan, Leven heritage trail is just plain on future generations.” spokesperson for Perth and silly. Green MSP Mark Ruskell Kinross Greens, said: “I really “I hope that the Fife said: “The masterplan approved by Fife Council estimated as many as 500 lorries a day could travel along this road, having a huge impact on air pollution, noise and wildlife in this precious local nature reserve.”
RSPB Scotland, who run the Loch Leven nature reserve, have objected to the plans.
A spokesperson said: “Along with other neighbouring businesses and families we continue to have significant concerns regarding the safety risks to visitors arising from the predicted enormous increase in HGV movements on the B9097 that will be generated by the proposed development at Westfield.
“RSBP Scotland has objected to planning permission in principle for the overall site.”
Pam Ewen, senior planning manager at Fife Council, said: “This current application follows the approval in principle for restoration and development of former opencast site for a range of uses.
“Anyone who wishes to make a representation in respect of discharging certain planning conditions has until September 27.”
I really don’t understand how anyone can think that this is acceptable