Residents fight £85m plan to build terminal

RESIDENTS claim that work on a planned new container terminal at Rosyth in Fife could cause their homes to collapse into the Firth of Forth.

An action group from villages west of the development has pledged to fight the £85 million scheme at the initial stage of a public inquiry today.

SOS Limekilns believes that extensive dredging required to extend the harbour for the terminal could damage sea walls and threaten homes.

It is also concerned that the project would cause constant noise and vibration, and damage a local wildlife site.

The group, which includes Charlestown, Limekilns and Pattiesmuir Community Council, also claimed only about 20 jobs would be created by the terminal, rather than the 200 proposed by developer Babcock, because much of the operation would be automated.

SOS Limekilns said increased container traffic could be accommodated at other ports and terminals – such as Grangemouth across the Forth. The group will seek to put its case at a preliminary meeting today, ahead of a public inquiry in November.

The scheme has already been earmarked as a key project by ministers, with its inclusion in the Scottish Government’s national planning framework, effectively giving it approval in principle.

Sue Hamilton, a spokeswoman for Limekilns SOS, said: “We want Babcock to reconsider before they waste too much money on this. Otherwise the public could end up subsidising unnecessary, expensive dedicated infrastructure for an unenviable project.

“If we knew this was the right and only thing to do in the national interest, we would be taking a different approach. However, the more we’ve learnt about this, the more we’ve realised this isn’t in the national interest.”

A spokesman for Babcock last night declined to comment. The firm has previously described the project as helping to turn Rosyth into a “thriving, dynamic port that will act as an international gateway for businesses”.