THREE local MSPs spoke out against incineration developments in a recent debate at the Scottish Parliament.
Elaine Smith, Siobhan McMahon and Margaret Mitchell all had their say as the hot topic of Scotland's waste policy was discussed at Holyrood - with local campaigners in attendance.
Members were unable to refer directly to the controversial Shore Energy application for Carnbroe after being reminded by presiding officer Tricia Marwick of "active legal proceedings".
North Lanarkshire Council originally refused the application, only for their decision to be overturned on appeal to Scottish Government reporters - and the local authority has now taken the case to the Court of Session.
Elaine Smith, the Coatbridge & Chryston MSP, said: "Waste management is too important to leave to the private sector, whose prime motive is profit, not safety or the environment.
"My constituents clearly say no to incineration - we have suffered enough from our industrial past and demand environmental justice now.
"They know that I will not stand by and allow my constituency to become Scotland's dumping ground, and I have fully supported their campaign from the start, because their research was thorough and their arguments compelling.
"On health, I recently received a Scottish Government response that said, 'the evidence suggests that any potential damage to health of those living close to incinerators is likely to be very small, if detectable' - that is not good enough.
"If the Scottish Government cannot guarantee the safety of incineration, it should oppose the technology and put that opposition in Scottish planning policy."
Environment secretary Richard Lochhead replied: "We must start to realise that the private sector's resources will be required if we are to deal with Scotland's waste challenges.
"We all take very seriously potential increases in health risks; the government recognises that there is public concern on the issue and we are reflecting more on what can be done to alleviate those concerns."
Ms Smith also hit out after a crucial change to the national zero waste policy was introduced at the opening day of February's public inquiry.
She said: "We were told to read the new version and change our [pre-submitted] precognitions - that was totally unacceptable.
"The goalposts were moved, to ordinary people's detriment, and the situation shows that the planning system is stacked in favour of big business, and against ordinary people trying to defend their communities." Labour colleague Siobhan McMahon, a Central Scotland list representative, said: "We must ensure that in the rush to meet ambitious zero waste targets, we do not sacrifice long-term benefits for short-term gains.
"According to that plan, waste management developments should be located where potential impacts on the human, built and natural environments can be minimised. "Local people have united in opposition to proposals to build incinerators in their areas; however, in certain recent cases, seemingly legitimate concerns have been dismissed. "People have made great efforts to ensure that their voices are heard - thousands of objections have been lodged and many thoughtful and reasoned arguments have effectively been discounted."
She later added: "The SNP has made great play of its environmental credentials and claims that the Zero Waste plan has introduced greater transparency to rules governing planning applications.
"Ambitious targets and grand claims are all very well, but government is all about results, and it's high time that [Airdrie MSP] Alex Neil and his colleagues started delivering some."
Fellow list MSP Margaret Mitchell, a Conservative leadership candidate, spoke about the Greengairs area, where the existing landfill facilities are shortly to be followed up with an incinerator, approved by the local authority in 2009.
She said: "Given the strength of feeling, the communities involved are often much better versed in the issues than politicians, yet there is a definite lack of meaningful consultation of local residents.
"It is clear that people are not being rewarded for their perseverance and participation; and it is particularly frustrating that in councils such as North Lanarkshire, there appear to be startling inconsistencies on how incinerator planning applications are dealt with."
They were participating in a debate on a motion sponsored by Michael McMahon calling for national guidelines on waste and incineration developments.
His proposal was ultimately defeated in a vote, and Ms Smith later told the Advertiser: "This was the perfect opportunity for Parliament to unite and make a clear statement about our concerns over waste incineration.
"I am extremely disappointed that not one member of the SNP chose to support the Labour motion, which highlighted the concerns of local communities and called for greater clarity in the planning guidelines."