The most eagerly-awaited Perth planning decision for a generation will be revealed this month.
Objectors to the controversial gasification plant proposed for Shore Road have been told to expect the outcome of an inquiry to be made public in around two weeks.
Those findings will then be placed before Scottish Ministers who will make the final decision.
The application by Grundon Waste Management to build a waste to energy facility sparked outrage among local people and a concerted, organised campaign of opposition was mounted.
An eight-day public inquiry was held last year because of the controversy and potential environmental implications, where the depth of public feeling was laid bare.
Perth and Kinross Council, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the local community and Perth Prison management all vehemently opposed the scheme.
The Scottish Prison Service claimed that constant noise and vibrations from a plant sited yards from C Block of the Edinburgh Road prison could cause prisoners to protest, refuse to work or even assault staff.
If granted permission, the facility would see tonnes of rubbish treated every day, leading to fears of pollution.
A decision from Scottish Government reporter Dannie Onn had been expected in March, but the sheer amount of information and objections lodged during the inquiry delayed the outcome.
The directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals confirmed the timescale, saying: “Following an eight-day inquiry, the reporter appointed by ministers is carefully considering all of the information before him and he anticipates at this stage that he will produce a report with recommendations by mid-April in order for the final decision to be taken by Scottish Ministers in due course.”
Councillor Peter Barrett is confident that, having examined the evidence, the reporter will reject the application.
“It has been a long, frustrating and worrying wait since last May for the outcome of Grundon’s planning appeal,” said Mr Barrett.
“Frankly, this is an appeal that everyone could have done without and which shouldn’t have been inflicted on the community. There is no justification for this incinerator on this site.
“Everyone, from SEPA to the Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council and the thousands of objectors, can see it would cause huge problems of noise and odour to the prison and surrounding residents, it’s far too big for the site and far too close.
“Grundon have seemed hell-bent on pursuing a big profit, prize blinded to reason and with no regard to commonsense.
“They have gambled big-time that the outline consent was worth kings and aces. But all they’ve ever had is a pair of twos and a strong arm. When they’re finally forced to quit the last chance saloon, I am sure that the whole of Perth will be waiting to wave them goodbye.”
The council maintained that the proposed site occupied an important location overlooking the River Tay and a development which offered environmental enhancement would be more in keeping with its position close to the South Inch, the prison and the river.