Invergordon's burning issue probed
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A LEGAL team battling plans for a £43million waste-to-energy incineration plant in Easter Ross is building its case around a document it insists is "inadequate, flawed and unfit for purpose".
Ross Estates Company has submitted its response to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) setting out its views on the adequacy of the an Environmental Statement lodged in 2008 in support of the controversial plans.
Campaigners opposed to the scheme — which backers say would create jobs and help the local authority meet stringent new waste disposal legislation — are uneasy about the potential health implications of discharges and the damage such a scheme could do to the image of the town.
After being thrown out by Highland Council following a stormy meeting — against the recommendation of planning officials — an appeal was successfully lodged by the applicant, Combined Power and Heat (Highlands) Ltd.
However a persistent local campaign prompted a fresh look at the case which is now in the hands of Scottish Government Reporter, Richard Dent. He has invited all interested parties to submit representations over whether the original environmental assessment needs to be updated. Opponents of the scheme insist only a full public local inquiry will allow all views to be adequately aired.
Ross Estates owner Mohamed Al Fayed bankrolled a legal challenge which set the scene for the current debate.
A spokesperson for Ross Estates said, "In our written response...we have pointed out that due to a number of fundamental regulatory and policy changes...the assessment of predicted environmental impacts of the proposed incinerator is inaccurate and must now be re-addressed in an updated Environmental Statement. Planning decisions can be set aside by the Courts where an Environmental Statement is based on incomplete or inadequate information."
He added, "We welcome the response from the Reporter on the adequacy of the current Environmental Statement, which we believe to be inadequate, flawed and unfit for purpose."
Parties invited to respond include ICARE, the community councils for Invergordon, Saltburn and Westwood, and Ardross, Saltburn and District Community Association, Ross Estates Company, the Highland Council, Combined Power and Heat (Highlands) Ltd and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
