Second bid to build an incinerator turned down

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a £100 million waste incinerator in the heart of Perth have been thrown out for a second time by councillors.

Hundreds of objectors yesterday crowded into the Dewars Centre in the town as Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee voted to reject proposals by Grundon Waste Management to site the giant waste to energy plant at Shore Road, near Perth Prison and on an area between the River Tay and the South Inch parklands.

Grundon’s first application for a development at the site – branded a “pollutant-belching monstrosity” – was refused by the council in November 2009.

The council’s decision was welcomed by Pete Wishart, the MP for Perth and North Perthshire and a leading opponent of the project.

He said: “It is the right decision and it entirely reflects the views of the people of Perth.

“The evidence from Sepa and local organisations was incredibly compelling and local opinion is very strong on this matter.

“I don’t know how much clearer things can be made for Grundon: Perth does not want this plant. Perth will never want this plant. It is time to move on.”

A spokeswoman for Grundon said: “Although Grundon Waste Management is not surprised by Perth and Kinross Council’s decision to refuse its reserved matters application for an energy from waste facility at Shore Road, Perth, it remains concerned and disappointed by the approach the council has taken during its consideration of the matter.

“Grundon and its consultants strongly believe that using conventional methodology for assessments and allowing a significant margin for worst case impacts, acceptable levels for air quality, noise and odour could be delivered and controlled by planning conditions if necessary.”