CAMPAIGNERS fighting against the planned waste to energy facility at Oldhall in Irvine are urging the Scottish Government to “pull the plug” on the project.
The call comes from Irvine Without Incinerators, who are hugely concerned about the major health issues which they say would arise if the plant is given the go ahead.
Group spokesman Arthur West said: “We are expecting a decision on whether or not the ill advised Irvine waste incinerator plant will be going ahead in the very near future .
“Surely given the level of local opposition to this project the Scottish Government will pull the plug on a plant which would pose significant health and environmental hazards for local communities in the Irvine area and beyond .”
A spokesperson for plant operators Doveryard Ltd said: “We have worked closely with SEPA throughout the draft permitting process to ensure we meet or exceed all the statutory and regulatory requirements for facilities of this kind. Following the consultation period, we await SEPA’s decision.
“The Oldhall Energy Recovery Facility will be an important piece of Scottish infrastructure. It will support the Scottish Government’s landfill ban which comes into force at the end of this year, providing much needed waste treatment capacity and allowing waste to be treated locally, rather than it being transported hundreds of miles away for disposal or treatment.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We continue to show significant progress in our overall waste reduction and recycling rates.
“Scotland must ensure it has sufficient capacity to treat its own waste responsibly.
“As we transition to a circular economy, we will still need an appropriate way to manage our unavoidable and unrecyclable waste. In the short-term, incineration has a role to play in reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.
“It would not be appropriate to comment on a live Pollution Prevention and Control permit application.”
