A rethink has been urged of the burning of up to 250,000 tonnes of waste a year from around Scotland near several Fife communities.
Councillors will be asked on Monday to approve the conversion of the former Westfield opencast mine into an energy-producing powerhouse which could bring more than 2,500 jobs.
However, concerns have been voiced about the incinerator which forms part of the development and the volume of waste it could handle.
Cardenden is among the closest settlements to the site, which is also near Kinglassie and Ballingry, and its community council insisted the incinerator element of the scheme must be reconsidered.
Durham-based Hargreaves Services wants planning permission to restore what is one of Europe’s largest brownfield sites, creating a solar energy park, waste recovery and recycling unit, light industrial units and agricultural greenhouses.
Community council secretary David Taylor said: “Our community has been waiting many years for an acceptable plan to restore the Westfield site and bring employment to the area.
“However, major concerns have been expressed about the proposed master plan which will be considered by Fife Council.
“The main issue is the proposed incinerator and the quantity of material which will be brought to the site, both of which are contrary to the Scottish Government’s proposals to reduce greenhouse gases and the number of diesel vehicles on our roads.
“It is understood that waste material will be transported from various destinations to the site via the picturesque Loch Leven road where it will be separated into its various components, such as plastic and metal, with the residual waste incinerated.
“Most local authorities already separate their waste by means of kerbside bins and recycling areas and the residual waste is disposed of locally.
“This section of the proposal needs to be reconsidered.”
Mr Taylor said there was already a wind farm on site and it would be enhanced by the addition of a solar farm.
However, he said: “Before the proposal is rubberstamped, more consideration needs to be given to the matter.”
Traffic to and from the site, near Loch Leven, would make heavy use of the B9097 and worries have also been voiced over the impact that could have on the road.
Perth and Kinross Council has not objected but has “some serious concerns” about the proposal and its impact on communities, facilities and infrastructure.
The development could also see the reopening of an old railway line to service the business park.
Originally farmland, Westfield became an opencast site in 1955 but production stopped in 1998.
It was acquired by Hargreaves acquired in 2013.
Fife Council’s central area development committee has been advised by planning officers to approve the scheme.
