Five reasons to reject incinerator plan

Oct 23 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Dear Sirs, – Planning Application for new incinerator at Shore Road (09/00348/REM).

1. Siting, design and external appearance of buildings, means of access and overall impact

The building is out of scale for its proposed location and will dominate the skyline from many aspects. It is visually obtrusive.

2. Traffic and Transport

Section 10 of the applicants’ Environmental Statement reveals dubious and unsubstantiated statistics relating to the proposed level of traffic to and from the site.

Current traffic movement for the 20,000 tonnes per annum being processed at the site is cited as 150 two way traffic trips per day.

There is inadequate roads infrastructure leading to the site of this application (Low bridge on Tay Street and only access by Marshall Place ). The proposed increase in heavy vehicle movement will lead to further traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.

3. Effect on individual buildings such as overlooking, overshadowing.

The proposed building is equivalent to a 14 storey block and will severely overshadow the Cat A listed Perth prison buildings and does not relate appropriately to the surrounding businesses and public parks.

It is only 200 metres from South Inch view and even closer to the residents and staff in Perth Prison and the island golf club premises/staff accommodation.

4. Noise and Disturbance

The applicant intends to operate the plant 24/7 365 days per year. The equipment used will generate significant noise levels especially in a valley adjacent to the River Tay which is a noise conductor.

Noise pollution coming from this area is already a serious problem affecting the residential areas surrounding the South Inch and Kinnoull/Barnhill.

Unless very restrictive conditions are imposed the contiuous 24/7, 365 days per year noise emanating from the turbine, cooler fans, hammer mills and site traffic will be unacceptable to local residents.

5. Economic

Perth is not a major manufacturing area, the tourist trade is the cornerstone of the economy.

Perth and the River Tay including its golf courses, Riverside walks and Inches are world renowned, who would want to park or picnic near a incinerator belching out plumes of potentially harmful gases.

Colin Styles, Kinnoull.