Environmental watchdog objects to controversial Perth incinerator, 12 October 2011

By Mike Farrell, STV, http://news.stv.tv/scotland/tayside/274390-environmental-watchdog-objects-to-controversial-perth-incinerator/?mid=4 

(Return to main Perth/Grundon page)

Grundon Waste Management wants to build a £100m waste to energy site in the town’s Shore Road earlier this year.

12 October 2011 13:14 GMT

An environmental watchdog has lodged an objection against controversial plans for an incinerator in Perth town centre.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) highlighted concerns over the air emissions and noise the facility would create.

Grundon Waste Management unveiled revised plans for a £100m waste to energy site in the town’s Shore Road earlier this year.

This came after it had failed in a previous attempt to build an incinerator on the site, which was met with a campaign against the proposals by local residents.

In its objection, Sepa states "the air emissions are of concern due to the stack height" regarding the proposed 98ft and 111ft chimneys.

The government body also found that a HMP Perth prison block, which is near the site, would be a receptor of both noise and odour pollution.

Sepa felt that Grundon had provided "insufficient information" in its application to determine how much noise and odour pollution would be experienced at the prison as a result of the incinerator.

A lack of information from the Oxfordshire-based company regarding potential health effects on residents as a result of gases released by the incinerator was also highlighted as a concern.

Bob Nicholson, Grundon’s estates director, said: "We have supplied Sepa with data on issues such as those relating to additional equipment on the site and it may just be that Sepa has not yet considered it.

"We remain ready, willing and able to continue to supply additional information to Sepa. However, we would make the point that the more information Sepa requests – and the more we provide – extends the time Sepa needs to consider the additional material.

"We hope that Sepa recognises that we need as much time to consider and respond to their feedback as they need to evaluate our additional information. This concept would appear to be implicit to the iterative nature of planning application determination.

"It would be unfortunate if this important decision was made before all the information provided by both parties was given full consideration."