Plans to dump ash waste at a Fife landfill site should be rejected without hesitation, an MSP has said.
North East Fife Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie will take the “unusual” step of submitting a formal objection to the application for Lower Melville Wood near Ladybank.
The proposal by Fife Resource Solutions would see 45,000 tonnes of incinerator bottom ash (IBA) imported into a new processing plant at its site, with six to seven lorry loads brought in per day.
The new facility would remove large particles and metals for recycling elsewhere, as well as producing IBA aggregate, which is used in the construction industry for road building, bulk fill, pipe bedding, asphalts and concrete.
Lower Melville Wood, which already takes in an average 100,000 tonnes of waste per year, has been criticised by local people due to the stench of rotting household rubbish.
Communities fear they would also be subjected to dust pollution from the planned development as ash must be stored uncovered before incineration.
Mr Rennie claimed the application is “redundant and unnecessary” as there is still years of capacity at the Peterden IBA facility north of Dundee.
He added there should be no further development on the Fife site until the existing smell has been eliminated.
He said his objection will be made before Wednesday’s deadline to submit a response.
“I am taking the unusual step of submitting a formal objection to this planning application as the site is unnecessary.
“I normally do not get involved in planning issues but this is an exceptional issue that requires my involvement.
“The Peterden facility has been operating for years and has many years left to operate.
“Why on earth are we creating a new facility when there is already a facility closer to the Dundee incinerator that has been established for many years? It just does not make sense.
“Local people around Lower Melville Wood have had enough and planners should reject this application without hesitation.”
Planning consultants SLR Consulting Limited noted the ongoing issue regarding odours but said the increase due to the proposed plant would be negligible.
Robin Baird, chief operating officer for Fife Resource Solutions (FRS), which runs recycling services on behalf of Fife Council, said: “We continue to work closely with Sepa and continue to provide updates to the community on a regular basis.
“Despite recent events we have continued to progress with all onsite works at a pace and will continue to do so over the coming weeks.”
