It isn't nimbyism, it's just common sense

Published on Monday 28 July 2008 10:53

COMMUNITY groups are always at a disadvantage when opposing planning applications in their area, but the argument reaches rock bottom when the trite accusation of nimbyism is wheeled out.

This acronym has been used to describe those of us in Portobello who are currently fighting an application by Viridor to locate a waste transfer station adjacent to this residential conservation area.

Although the approach junctions at Milton Road and Seafield are already over their capacity, the developer says 900 extra lorries each day will have little effect.

We are asked to accept that the facility can work 24 hours, seven days a week, if necessary, whilst sacrificing our enjoyment of this area so that – it is claimed – 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide can be saved annually.

The rubbish that will be compacted in this huge installation will be commercial and industrial waste trucked in from other areas of Scotland. It is not a replacement for Powderhall, but a commercial venture by a company seeking maximum financial benefit regardless of the optimum waste strategy for this city and the country as a whole.

If – and it is a big if – such a facility is really needed then a better site exists at Millerhill marshalling yards.

In fact, this site has been identified in the local plan for such an installation. Portobello has not.

So on one side we have a company trying to convince us that the transfer station will be a good neighbour to the 1200 families in its vicinity. On the other side, we have over 2500 objectors trying to understand why such a large facility should be built in a residential area.

When the planning committee considers this application on Wednesday we are not just asking for the overwhelming local opposition to be taken into account but also the question of why a private company is trying to dictate our waste strategy.

&#149 Councillor Stephen Hawkins represents the Portobello/Craigmillar area as well as Pongs – the Portobello Opposes New Garbage Site action group.