Councillors on the Planning committee today rejected, by a unanimous margin 12 to 0, the latest attempt by Viridor to get approval for their “energy from waste” plant. Sustaining Dunbar joined Lammermuir Community Council, IRATE, the Green Party and other concerned individuals who spoke eloquently and at times passionately against the application. Our three elected members all spoke against the proposal. No one apart from the applicants spoke in favour.
The main thrust of my submission, was highlighting the lack of a tangible Heat Plan, the impact of transporting the resulting waste bottom ash – 90,000 tonnes/ annum, the need for considering operational risks e.g. of breaching emissions, especially when the record of Lafarge is considered, and the benefits of the newer technology of plasma gasification. The highlight of my presentation, which resulted in some laughter, was stating that “the incinerator white elephant sits uncomfortably on the sofa of sustainability”.
After the vote there was a sense of relief and celebration. Viridor are likely to appeal resulting in a public enquiry.
Mark James
The decision taken was the right one i was over the moon that day in
Haddington.But don’t forget we still have LAFARGE belching out all the filth into our our environment and they have been doing it for at least since the eighties,this was all experimntal and should never
have been allowed.I know who i would hold responsible,and by the way
Lafarge are more times shut down than they are working.I could go on and on i have gathered so much information in the years past,so i am coming to the end as there isn’t enough space to express what i have to say.Again i say it was wonderful by the decision.