Move to alter tip site plan

Nov 20 2008 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

A CONSULTATION is underway aimed at highlighting proposed changes at a South Lanarkshire tip.

Viridor Waste Management operate the 123-acre Rigmuir landfill site one-and-a-quarter miles south-west of Hamilton.

Each year, up to 230,000 cubic metres of non-recyable waste from South Lanarkshire is dumped at the former opencast coal site off the A726 Strathaven-East Kilbride road.

Viridor say that they have encountered a number of operational “challenges” since the facility opened 12 months ago.

As a result, the company are planning changes to the way the site operates.

They include the construction of a new and enclosed waste reception building.

Steven Don, the company’s Scotland-based regional commercial and development manager, said the changes would not increase the size of the site’s permitted ‘footprint’.

Nor would it extend the working life of the facility, which is due to close in 2020.

Mr Don added: “Rigmuir Landfill is bisected by overhead power lines and they pose engineering, landfilling and restoration design challenges.

“Viridor is therefore proposing to exchange the northern permitted landfill area with a similar area lying to the south of the power lines, so that only the southern part of the site is filled.

“This would allow us to build lagoons that would help control surface water run off within the site that experiences high rainfall.”

Viridor say if the changes are approved site safety would improve as vehicles would not have to keep passing beneath the power lines.

Mr Don said the change would also allow them to leave untouched a colony of wild orchids growing on the northern part of the site.

Under the current arrangements, the orchids would have to be moved to the southern end of the site to make way for landfill.

Mr Don also explained that the waste reception building would replace the existing “open-air, windy tipping area” at Rigmuir.

The company expect to spend up to £15m on infrastructure, engineering and environmental controls at the site.

Viridor are currently seeking comments on the proposed changes prior to submitting a planning application with South Lanarkshire Council, probably in December or January. A exhibition highlighting the changes was held in Chapelton last Thursday.

To find out more about the proposals log on to www.viridor-consultation.co.uk/rigmuir

If you have a view on the scheme e-mail jrowbotham@s-un.co.uk or write to Hamilton Advertiser, Press Buildings, Campbell Street, Hamilton, ML3 6AX.