Residents turn noses up at waste depot plans

PLANS for a waste disposal depot in the east of the city have angered residents who say their lives will be blighted by noise and smell.

Seafield and Portobello have both been earmarked as potential sites for a state-of-the-art facility, which will be run by Edinburgh City Council.

The depot, which will process and compact all the city’s rubbish, will replace the ageing site at Powderhall.

The Seafield site on the corner of Seafield Road and Fillyside Road is seen as a leading contender for the new waste plant.

But city officials are also examining a site at the Freightliner Terminal, just off Sir Harry Lauder Road in Portobello.

Talks are now under way with Railtrack to assess establishing a crucial rail link at both sites to carry the processed waste to a landfill site at Dunbar.

Council officials today refused to reveal how long Powderhall would remain open, but its future is already in jeopardy, especially after asbestos was discovered in tipping stalls there.

But opponents today vowed to fight the council’s plans for a new waste depot .

Rob Kirkwood, chairman of the Leith Links Residents’ Association, said: "Clearly I am concerned that there is potentially going to be a danger of odour in Leith. This is a policy of Edinburgh City Council, where anything nasty is dumped in Leith. The noise would also be a concern ."

Portobello residents are also angry at the prospect of a depot at the Freightliner Terminal.

John Smart, chairman of the Portobello Community Council, said: "I do not think residents would be very happy about it. It depends on how much rubbish is there, but it could result in vermin and noise pollution."

Councillor Lawrence Marshall, whose Portobello ward includes both earmarked sites, said: " There are noise and odour issues. I honestly think there is a better site which is Millerhill goods yard just beyond Newcraighall Station."

He added the Seafield site was surrounded by bungalows, while the Portobello terminal was also close to houses.

Today, Tory environment spokesman, Councillor Ian Berry, suggested the council wanted to sell Powderhall for a quick profit, and said: " I will be seeking a wide consultation. Is it really necessary to shut Powderhall? You could renovate it and renew the old machinery."

"I am told the council could get 6.5 million for the Powderhall site. Is this just a smoke screen to raise money?"

A council report, due to be presented to the executive tomorrow , and written by environmental and consumer services director Mike Drewry, said: "The advantage of this site [Seafield] is it is already council-owned. A rail link runs at the side of the civic amenity site and discussions have commenced with Railtrack to establish the feasibility of creating a transfer station and rail loading facility.

"Seafield is an old, somewhat dilapidated depot and this option is very promising in that the site could be re-developed to produce a modern waste disposal, refuse collection, taskforce and recycling centre facility.

Describing the freightliner terminal in Portobello, Mr Drewry added: "It is a useful site that has the potential to become a modern transfer facility ."

In a statement to The Evening News today, Mr Drewry said the Powderhall site was inefficient.

"Powderhall Waste Transfer Station was originally built as an incinerator, and was modified in order to handle waste.

"The current system means waste is handled three times in processing, which makes the process inefficient and consequently has an impact on cost."

Mr Drewry refused to reveal how long the council would keep Powderhall open, but said: "Once the asbestos is removed from Powderhall, we would anticipate continuing to use this site until any new facility is constructed."