City will become a hellhole

Apr 7 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

LEADING Perth city centre councillors are spearheading a campaign to block controversial plans for a £100 million, sprawling waste to energy plant on the periphery of Perth city centre.

Furious Councillor Peter Barrett yesterday claimed the Fair City could be transformed into a “rubbish burning hellhole.”

And Councillor Archie MacLellan warned the vast Shore Road development could “destroy” Perth’s reputation as a tourist magnet and have a “catastrophic effect” on a roads network already under stress.

Both councillors, and also the Bridgend Gannochy and Kinnoull community council, have expressed concern at the way the planning application has been handled by Perth and Kinross Council. The PA revealed it secured outline consent without ever going before a committee.

And yesterday one concerned local resident said: “When this was given outline approval it was in a ward represented by Councillor Jack Coburn. How can this possibly be in the interests of his constituents.”

Grundon Waste Management’s Shore Road project, which includes a massive plant building and 260-foot chimney stack which would dominate the city skyline, has prompted a hostile reaction from Councillor Barrett and Councillor MacLellan, who are among the city centre representatives.

Councillor Barrett said: “This is a horrific proposal. It will have a huge detrimental impact on our city centre and it presents a massive threat to our highly prized local environment and natural heritage.”

Grundon’s commercial energy to waste plant would handle 90,000 tonnes of waste per year.

Outline permission was previously granted to local firm Holden Environmental Waste. But the councillors say the latest plans bear no elation to the initial proposals.

Councillor Barrett said: “This frightening application and nothing like a small facility to treat a limited tonnage of local residual waste. There can be no question of this application being sleepwalked to approval.

“It is vital that Perth residents unite in opposition against our Fair City being turned into a rubbish-burning hellhole.”

Councillor Barrett claimed the active manufacturing and production area of the power plant would more than treble the size of the current operation.

He said the plant building footprint alone covered an area of over 4000 square metres and the main building would be 114 feet high. Towering above this enormous structure would be the chimney.

Councillor Barrett said: “This power station and its scale are completely alien to the surroundings. It is a monstrosity, equivalent to a 13-storey tower block covering the area of a football pitch.

“This is compounded by a chimney more than twice as high again on top.”

Councillor MacLellan said: “Since the story concerning these proposals was highlighted by the Perthshire Advertiser I have had approaches from community councils and deeply concerned constituents, all of whom are strongly opposed to this development.

“I, too, have serious concerns and believe that there is a need for a public meeting to allow the applicants to put their case forward prior to any decisions being taken by the council.

“The information I have been given to date would suggest that such a development would be extremely detrimental to the city of Perth and could have a serious effect on the surrounding areas.

“Perth is dependent on its tourist trade and the current council leadership, including the two opposition party leaders, are working to promote the city for its beauty and the many cultural and sporting facilities available to visitors and locals alike.

“What sort of message does it send out to have a huge chimney in the centre of town disfiguring the local skyline, perhaps affecting the city and, depending on wind direction, nearby villages with smoke emissions?

“And what sort of safety assurances can be given to the parents of young children who make full use of both the South and North Inch's, particularly during the summer months?

“In addition, serious consideration must be given to the effect this proposal would have on our already congested roads. I’m told this will equate to 560 two-way vehicle trips per day.

“If this figure is confirmed it will mean the virtual destruction of Perth as a tourist attraction and the effect on our roads structure will be catastrophic.”

Councillor Barrett added: “It will have an incalculable negative visual impact on, and from, the South Inch. This is absolutely incompatible with such an area of high amenity and leisure use. It isn’t just a blot on the landscape - it will blot out the landscape.”

Councillor Barrett is determined to mobilise a mass campaign of public opposition under a “Stop the Incinerator” banner and yesterday both councillors appealed to Perth residents to make their voices heard.

Councillor Barrett said: “This is one battle we can’t afford to lose. The fight starts now and I don’t intend to give one inch!”

And Councillor MacLellan added: “As councillors we have a duty to the people who elected us and I am sure we will not shirk in that responsibility.

“But it is equally important that local people make themselves aware of what could happen and make their views known to councillors, officials and the developers.”