SEPA object to controversial £50m incinerator

Aug 19 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

SEPA have now objected to plans for the controversial £50m waste incinerator.

Scotland’s environmental regulator are opposed to Scotgen’s gastification plant earmarked for Dovesdale Farm, Carlisle Road, Stonehouse.

A staggering 11,000 people have written to South Lanarkshire Council’s expressing their opposition to the planned unit.

It is believed to be the largest number of objections ever lodged against a South Lanarkshire planning application.

The communities of Stonehouse, Larkhall, Blackwood, Ashghill and Netherburn have united to condemn the plans.

Now SEPA are the latest to oppose the facility that will employ 50 people and have the capacity to process annually about 160,000 tonnes of residential waste, 90 per cent destined for landfill.

The environmental watchdog have objected because they say there is a lack of information on various aspects of the proposal .

The plant will recycle industrial, commercial and household waste as well as a small element of hazardous waste from the South Lanarkshire area.

In a letter sent to the planning department, SEPA express many concerns.

The letter states: “We request clarification as to the expected breakdown of waste to be treated in terms of commercial and industrial waste and municipal waster.

“The draft Heat Plan does not appear to use the appropriate references required in the Thermal Treatment and Waste Guidelines (TTWG) or Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) methodology.

“It is therefore suggested the plan is resubmitted taking into account these requirement.

“(Whether it is possible to achieve) the quoted recyclate rates within the Environmental Statement are of concern to us as the plant description is not comprehensive. There is some confusion and contradiction with different parts of the application relating to the waste flows.”

SEPA are concerned that a proposed asphalt plant, which has planning consent on land adjacent to the proposed development, could release many of the same potential pollutants and acid gases and metals as the energy-from-waste plant..

The letter went on: “The potential emissions from the asphalt plant should also be addressed to determine if cumulative impacts with the energy-from-the-waste plant and traffic would alter any conclusion regarding air quality and impact on designated sites.

“The potential impact on designated sites has not been assessed in full accordance with the relevant methodology and we request that such an assessment be carried out.

“An assessment of potential impacts form hazardous release from the plant should also be provided.”

Stewart Weir, spokesman for Dovesdale Action Group, welcomed SEPA’s objection.

He added: “SEPA have made 16 points of objection in a 23-page document against the application.

“SEPA have picked holes in the application.

“We have been against these proposals from the beginning.

“I would say to MPs, MSPs and community councils who have said that we would oppose it because we are an action group, please don’t give people at Dovesdale Action Group the brush off.

“Some people say well it’s only five per cent hazardous waste going into the facility

“We don’t want any hazardous waste burnt and polluting the air - we certainly don’t want landfill in the sky!”

See next week’s Advertiser for Scotgen’s response to SEPA.