Perth traders speak out against incinerator

Nov 24 2009 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PLANNING mistakes on an unprecedented scale have left Perth at the mercy of industrial developers, according to the city’s most prominent business people.

Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee will vote this afternoon on detailed plans for a giant incinerator in the heart of the Fair City, but business representatives are furious the application has got that far.

Owner, with her husband John, of Perth’s McEwen’s department store, Lady Georgina Bullough believes planning decisions are cutting off the lifeblood of the city.

“The council’s decisions seem to be bizarrely to the detriment of the City of Perth,” she said. “Out of town retail has been allowed to strangle the city centre, now with over 40 vacant units.

“The City Hall has been left to rot and with it the economic hopes of the town centre.

“And now they are going to pollute what’s left. It’s hard to see how the major decisions of this council are to the benefit of the people of Perth.”

Lady Georgina’s concerns were echoed by the proprietor of Perth’s Royal George Hotel. From its central location overlooking the River Tay, the hotel has welcomed guests since the 18th century, including Queen Victoria.

Proprietor, Eddie Anderson expressed his anger with the planners: “What I’d like to know is what did the planners think they were doing in the first place by granting this incinerator outline consent.

“It’s equivalent to saying we’re going to a have a wee generator in the corner and ending up with a nuclear power station – we might as well go nuclear!

Mr Anderson added that his fears are not just for business and tourism, but for the health of the people of Perth.

“There’s no way on this earth that anyone can argue with the experts that have come forward in the last few weeks and their facts regarding air quality and the toxic emissions that would settle over the town.

“Under EU regulations Perth is being monitored regularly for air quality. What would be the point in testing air quality in the city and then putting up this beast.”

Opponents of the incinerator are expected to turn out in force for the development control meeting at 1pm today at Perth’s Dewar Centre.

Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham, who is also Scotland’s Minister for Environment, pledged to attend today’s meeting.

She said yesterday: “I will be attending tomorrow's meeting and will watch the proceedings with interest.

“Whatever decision is taken by the committee, we can be certain that this will not be the end of the matter.

“Perth and Kinross Council has found itself in a very tricky situation and I hope that Councillors will take on board the wise advice that will be offered to them from a range of sources.”