AN INQUIRY into a controversial waste incinerator proposed for Perth reached its final stage yesterday with a visit to the planned site.
Grundon Waste Management’s second appeal against Perth and Kinross Council’s rejection of its revised energy from waste facility at Shore Road, Perth, led to the public inquiry, with all interested parties putting forward witnesses to speak on the matter.
Previously described as a “smoke belching monstrosity” by Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, Grundon’s original proposal was for a £100 million incinerator that included an 80-metre chimney.
That plan was refused by the local authority and then also by a Scottish Government reporter in 2010.
The Oxfordshire company then returned with a revised plan in July 2011 and this was submitted to the council in March this year.
However, council members again refused it on the basis of concerns about odour, noise and the over-development of the site.
Grundon subsequently appealed this to the Directorate for Planning and Environment Protection Agency and this led to the public inquiry, which was held at the Station Hotel in Perth.
The company had been granted outline planning permission to build a waste-to-energy plant on the site in 2006.
However, it soon emerged that this had taken place without the knowledge of senior management or councillors.
Grundon has claimed that the facility would generate 11MWh of steam and hot water for direct export to nearby buildings and 16MW of electricity enough to power 28,000 households to be sold to the National Grid.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government yesterday said: “Scottish Ministers recalled the appeal for their own determination on November 22 because of the significant public interest and potential environmental implications.
“The eight-day inquiry is expected to conclude today.
“The reporter will carefully consider all of the information before him and will produce a report with recommendations in order for the final decision to be taken by Scottish Ministers in due course.”
preoch@thecourier.co.uk