Grundon express disappointment at Shore Road incinerator decision

Nov 27 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

GRUNDON Waste Management has expressed “disappointment but not surprise” at the local authority’s development control committee decision to reject their application to develop an energy from waste plant on Shore Road.

And, firing a warning shot across the bows of the council and objectors, Bob Nicholson, director of estates, admitted their immediate reaction to the knockback was to appeal the decision.

But he said: “Upon reflection, we will consider our position once we have seen the officer’s report and following the council’s full meeting.”

Mr Nicholson, who said the company had been “seriously disadvantaged” at Tuesday’s meeting, stressed the issues were clear. Grundon voluntarily submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed development, although there was no legal requirement to do so.

He said that on October 12, SEPA unequivocally withdrew its previous objections to the planning application, saying SEPA confirmed it had “no objections to the location on the grounds of impacts on the environment and health” and that it helped support sustainable waste management principles.

Mr Nicholson said there had been no need for casting around for alternative sites because of the existing site specific planning consent for Shore Road.

He said: “Professionally, the company is at a complete loss as to why, a matter of days before the application was due to be considered by the committee – and only a month after withdrawing its original objections – SEPA decided to change its position. It should have asked Perth and Kinross Council to delay consideration of the application, to allow Grundon to respond to these matters.

“Modern, purpose designed energy from waste plants operate in towns and cities across Europe and Scandinavia. They do not pose a health hazard, commerce and industry continue to operate successfully and tourism flourishes. They provide a valuable, sustainable alternative to landfill for household and commercial waste and generate energy and heat for use in local enterprises.

“We are surprised by the fact that the grounds for refusal include the objections raised by SEPA in its 12th November letter, particularly as in the interim, we had not been asked to submit any additional information for SEPA to consider.

“Many of the issues raised in that letter would have been more appropriately dealt with during consideration of the PPC permit application. We believe Grundon has been significantly disadvantaged by not having the opportunity to respond to these last minute SEPA objections.”

l If the council decides to revoke the original application, and this was opposed by the applicant, the council would have to submit an order to revoke to the Scottish Government.