Incinerator row latest

Jan 29 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH councillor Peter Barrett yesterday called on Perth and Kinross Council to map-out their revised timetable for handling the controversial Shore Road incinerator planning application.

Revocation is on the cards when the full council finally gathers to debate Grundon’s £100 million proposals to create a waste to energy plant by the South Inch parklands. But the timetable has slipped and no date has been firmed-up.

After a six-hour development control committee in November, councillors unanimously rejected the company’s outline plans and referred them to the full council to discuss the possibility of revoking original consent.

Politicians have flagged-up revocation as a “dagger to the heart” of the incinerator project but councillors fear there could be compensation claims from Grundon.

Cllr Barrett was vociferous in the local campaign opposing Grundon’s plans and yesterday he sought assurances from council chiefs that the issue would be debated in the next few weeks.

He said: “In December, the council issued a statement stating that ‘every effort is being made to bring a report before a special council meeting before the end of January.’ The timetable has now been delayed but so far the council has not made a public statement to that effect.

“Given the enormous public interest in this matter, and the strength of opposition that the incinerator proposal aroused, I believe it is vital that local residents are kept informed.”

Given the complexity of a unique issue, which includes an absence of Scottish planning precedents on revocation plus legal, landownership and lease aspects – which all have to be assessed in the report to councillors – Cllr Barrett stressed: “The QC engaged by the council has requested more time to finalise his opinion on revocation.

“It is perhaps unsurprising that the report is not coming to the council as quickly as had originally been envisaged and people should not read anything sinister into the delay. I am confident that the matter is being dealt with thoroughly and professionally.”

He has been advised that revocation could now go before a meeting of the full council scheduled for February 24.

Cllr Barrett said: “I can understand that the council is reluctant to set another date which it might not be able to stick to. But there was huge public anxiety at the prospect of an incinerator at the heart of our city. People wrote to me about the unbearable stress they endured in the months running up to November’s meeting. Their situation cannot be endured for ever and has to be brought to an early conclusion.”