Coatbridge protestors demand response from Ministers, 19 June

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Dear All                                               

The demonstration against Shore Energy  on Saturday 18/6/11 at the notorious traffic black spot - Shawhead- shows that our community and our council (including our SNP colleagues who joined us) are firmly behind us.

We do not accept there is an “urgent” need for the Shore Energy pyrolysis incinerator to  be built on the former Shanks site in Monklands, just a few hundred yards from Shawhead and Carnbroe with access/egress straight from the A8, on the main route from Glasgow to Edinburgh.

500 mothers, fathers, children, grandmothers, grandfathers and grandchildren stood side by side on Saturday in protest against this plant, one of the largest demonstrations that Monklands has seen in years.  North Lanarkshire has exceeded targets set for recycling, yet finds this incinerator being forced upon the community without regard to need, potential short and long term health issues, proximity to homes, schools and nurseries, air quality and traffic congestion issues.

I would ask you Mr Swinney, if you have a view on this proposed plant given your responsibility for community planning, corporate social responsibility, energy and renewables, land use planning system.

I await your comments Mr Swinney

I would ask Ms Sturgeon to look at the health stats for our area and give us a cast-iron guarantee that the emissions from this plant will not harm the most vulnerable in our community. I would also ask what processes will be put in place to monitor the before and after health stats if this plant goes ahead?

I await your comments Ms Sturgeon.

I would ask Ms Campbell to look at the clearly flawed planning process that may allow this plant to be built.  As a mother, would you be content with exposing your child to such “tolerable” or “acceptable” risks?    I understand that you spoke out against the proposed plant at Dovesdale, do you have an opinion on the Shore Energy incinerator being built near homes, schools & nurseries in Monklands?

I await your comments Ms Campbell.  

You have responsibilities regarding the environment and sustainable development, we would  be interested to have your views on this proposed development and its impact in both these areas.

I await your comments Mr Lochhead

First Minister - how can our government claim to be ‘for the people’ if they do not listen to what the people of Monklands are saying? May I quote you “We have a duty as parliamentarians to articulate the public’s concerns and try and bring proper remedy”   We call on you to do that now.

As First Minister you have a unique opportunity to be at the front of the drive to build a network of sustainable solutions which will create jobs and solve waste issues without harming the environment. Scotland could lead the way by promoting reduction in waste and then there would be almost no waste available to burn!

If  burning waste is the best solution our Government can come up with, then you have failed.   May I draw your attention to the fact that in the ‘Waste Hierarchy’ incineration is right next to landfill.  We know that putting waste in holes in the ground is the worst thing we can do, but right next to that is burning it.  The incineration process which Mr Simon Howie’s Shore Energy is proposing is fast becoming yesterday’s technology.

With better education and drives to reduce, reuse and recycle, this plant will become a white elephant within just a few years due to falling waste streams and is a disjointed and ill-conceived plan which will not benefit our area.  It serves only to bring profit to Simon Howie, with our community  ultimately paying the price.

Mr Alex Neil has publicly stated that he does not agree with this incinerator being built, as has Mr John Wilson.  If you don’t listen to us First Minister, will you listen to your colleagues?

Mr Neil and Mr Wilson both understand the negative impact this plant will have on the area, and have also offered their support.  We ask that you meet with them as a matter of extreme urgency to discuss this matter.

MRAPP, Monklands Residents Against Pyrolysis Plant ask that you take immediate steps to stop this incinerator from blighting our community.  I would ask you Sir, to explain why in the face of overwhelming opposition, Mr Simon Howie’s business takes precedence over the wishes of our community and elected councillors.

I await your comments Mr Salmond

To assure you Sir, support for our campaign grows by the day with residents and local businesses pledging their support.

Our expectation is to have this communication acknowledged and response received within a reasonable timeframe and in time to be presented at our next public meeting.

Yours sincerely

Maggie Proctor

On behalf of MRAPP, Monklands Residents against Pyrolysis Plant  http://www.facebook.com/No.Incinerator   http://www.mrapp.org.uk/