People power wins the day as biomass project thrown out

Planners reject controversial plant

People power has helped in the rejection of a controversial new biomass plant in Glenrothes.

Council planners have formally knocked back Glenrothes Biomass Energy’s blueprint for a 19.8MW facility at Southfield Industrial Estate. It would have seen the creation of a 60-metre chimney stack and associated infrastructure.

The move, which comes days after locals vented their anger at a public meeting, will please the 280-plus objectors to the proposed development on land to the west of Whitworth Road.

Most of those who objected were residents concerned about how the plant would impact upon air quality, the environment and human and animal health in the area.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), Fife Airport, local company Flexon and the Hedgehogs Nursery were among others who voiced their opposition.

A report by case officer Martin McGroarty confirmed the application had been recommended for refusal by council planners and had been turned down.

“Although the proposed power plant does not comply with the development plan expectation for Class 4, 5 or 6 business uses on this site, this type of facility could be a compatible development within an area of land designated for employment purposes, provided it can be demonstrated it would not have significant detrimental impacts on existing businesses and neighbours,” he said.

“However, the planning application does not support a full assessment of the impacts of the development in relation to air quality and emissions and, on this basis, the precautionary principle must be applied.

“As such, the application must be treated as if these impacts would be significantly detrimental.

“This position is supported by the Sepa objection to the application, which is clear in indicating that the location of “novel and unproven technology” in a built-up area is a particular cause for concern.

“Similarly, the application lacks sufficient detailed information to satisfy concerns in relation to the significance of the visual impact of the proposal on the surrounding landscape and the ability to provide an acceptable solution for drainage of the site.”

Many of the 280 objections noted the prevailing winds could carry emissions from the plant in the direction of Finglassie and Stenton residential areas of Glenrothes, and stressed the chosen site would, therefore, be inappropriate.

Neighbouring business Flexcon, which relies upon clean air for the quality control of its products, warned it would have to close, with the loss of 77 jobs, if the development went ahead.

Fife Airport chiefs said the proposed 60m high chimney stack could be a potential aviation danger, raising the risk of collision and the creation of disturbed air from stack emissions.

Pictures: Mhairi Edwards. Council members spoke out about the plans at a public meeting.

Almuth Ernsting, co-director of Biofuelwatch, addresses the audience at the public meeting.