Councillor breaks silence to confirm opposition to biomass plant
Dundee councillor George Regan has spoken out in opposition to the proposed biomass plant at the harbour and said "Dundonians will not thank us" if it goes ahead.
The site of the proposed biomass plant for Dundee's docks.
- Published in the Courier : 24.01.11
- Published online : 24.01.11 @ 03.41pm
City councillors are to make their views on the controversial Forth Energy proposal known tonight under consultation sought by the Scottish Government, which will decide on the plan.
Dundee's elected members have kept their opinions on the biomass project to themselves thus far, claiming they are restricted from commenting openly as the council is a statutory consultee.
But Mr Regan, a member for Douglas area which sits in the shadow of the Baldovie incinerator, has broken the silence.
He said that at last the dockland incinerator would come before Dundee City Council, and he described the construction as having an absolutely opposite visual impact to the proposed V&A a short distance away.
"One, a representation of beauty and taste, the other, a large emission-spewing monstrosity — so much for visual appreciation."
He expressed health concerns, stating, "Built behind a petrochemical plant (the Nynas refinery), turbulence could well concentrate particulate emissions in the adjoining densely populated area."
Mr Regan believes the biomass plant's 100m stack will not be higher than the family homes at the top of Craigiebank — something he describes as "clearly an unacceptable risk to residents."
He continued, "Dundee already exceeds the air purity levels set by government and this would, obviously, risk worsening this problem, bearing in mind that DERL occasionally exceeds the safety levels set by SEPA."
In his report to councillors tonight, city development director Mike Galloway says that, while there are unresolved issues with the plant, with controls in place "it would not result in an unacceptable level of impact."
He does not make a firm for or against recommendation, however, but puts three options to councillors.
These are that they support the proposal subject to conditions; they ask Scottish ministers to defer consideration until an air quality survey shows the plant will have no adverse effect on public health; or that they object to the application.
07.00pm - 24.01.2011 Mike Stirling - Forfar, Scotland Report This
Incinerators make smoke. Smoke is toxic. End of! Simples!!
08.23am - 25.01.2011 T. Butchers - Dundee, uk Report This
I take it this is the same council who have their withered hand in the Baldovie incinerator operation?
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