The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Council faces criticism over quarry bid
FIFE COUNCIL’S handling of a planning application for a quarry has been described as “shameful” by a local councillor.
John Wincott, representative for Glenrothes North, Leslie and Markinch, has called on the local authority to investigate its own planning department after an independent report noted a number of errors made by officers when approving permission for the Lomond Quarry by Leslie.
The document, released yesterday, says that planning officials have allowed work to take place at noise levels that are too high, an error made when the extension to planning consent was granted in 2011.
Although the operators, Skene Group, are found to be operating within those levels, Mr Wincott has voiced his concerns over the actions of the council’s planning department in making fundamental errors from the outset of the application.
He said: “As far as I’m concerned this is a shameful blot on the otherwise excellent reputation of Fife Council.
“We have got to be open, honest and thorough in our approach to planning.
“Fife Council is a good council and gets good reviews in a lot of areas, but this has to be investigated and it has to be done openly.
“This is one very big application that I know quite a lot about, which shows a large number of failings in the planning process.
“How many more have gone wrong?
“Planning has such a huge impact on people’s lives that it’s vital it is not just right, but seen to be right.”
The Lomond Quarry has proved hugely controversial in Leslie, with many residents having complained about blasting from the area and the volume of lorries travelling through the village.
An action group was set up by local residents while Leslie Community Council has also been vocal in its concerns.
However, the report was categorical in saying that Skene Group were operating within the criteria of its planning consent and within the agreed schedules for dust, vibration and noise management.
Council leader Alex Rowley welcomed the report, saying: “It confirms there has been an impact on a number of residents and everything possible must be done to address this now.
“In particular, there is no doubt noise and vibration levels have caused distress, and whilst the report confirms the quarry is operating in line with planning consent and approved plans for managing noise, dust and vibration, there are specific recommendations that the current monitoring procedures should be reviewed.”
Local MP Lindsay Roy has also backed the report, adding: “I called for this review and I welcome publication of what is a very thorough report by acknowledged experts in their field.
“It is right and proper that issues regarding council officer involvement have been highlighted and we also need to discuss the role of officers in advising elected members and the quality of advice given.”
Skene Group, however, have voiced their concerns over the validity of the report, describing it as “deeply flawed”.
Neil Skene, director, said the company remained committed to working with Fife Council and the community, adding: “Many of the contents are undermined by properly sourced evidence and contradict the findings of the reporter in the recent appeals upheld in December 2012.
“Possibly the most significant flaw in the report is the failure to properly interpret and apply Scottish Government guidance on setting values for noise limits for quarries.
“This fundamental error renders many of the conclusions in the rest of the report invalid.”