Don’t bring children into the incinerator debate

Dec 4 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Dear Editor, – As a resident of Abernethy, I have followed the actions and antics of the protestors against the building of an incinerator at Shore Road, Perth, with wry amusement.

All the health arguments put forward were also expressed by those who opposed the building of an incinerator at the Binn Hill, Glenfarg.

These arguments were not accepted by Perth and Kinross Council then, so how could they be accepted now as reasons to refuse permission for the Shore Road application?

It’s all in the Council Records.

However, my amusement was decidedly cut short when the campaign introduced primary school children as part of a publicity stunt designed to put pressure on councillors and council officials.

The outcome of this matter must be decided by the fair and correct application of the Planning Laws of this country and not by emotive outbursts, manipulation of popular feelings, and veiled threats by some in what some may consider an exploitative, scaremongering campaign.

The campaign against the incinerator proposed by Sita at The Binn is still ongoing, however, it must be remembered that the incineration of waste is legal in this country and that the companies involved are entitled to pursue their business activities as allowed under current legislation.

R Macdonald, Abernethy