Angus Council’s planning department has asked for clarity over moves to close two recycling centres and open a £1 million dump in a village.
The local authority has proposed closing the Forfar and Kirriemuir dumps in favour of a £1m “bespoke” build at Padanaram, between the towns.
The Courier revealed an application for permission in principle was lodged in January, containing a dossier that acknowledged such a move would create a backlash in all three settlements.
It has emerged that planners have probed the application further over boundary inaccuracies, the possible effects on Padanaram residents and their property, and lack of justification for site selection.
Village resident Eleanor Feltham, who worked in planning for around three decades and is working with neighbours to monitor the plans, has said the business case for a combined centre is based on the likes of Baldovie in Dundee and Perth not a place with 427 people.
The council stated the raising of planning issues is “not unexpected” in the field and will address questions in an “open and comprehensive manner”.
Ms Feltham, 66, said: “The business case is an assumption and the business models are Dundee and Perth.
“Both are located in industrial estates, near or in urban sprawl.
“The recent planning letter on Angus Council’s website has clearly requested the methodology and structure that should reflect Scottish planning policy being the right development in the right place.
“This application fails on both counts for a small rural settlement of 427 residents in Padanaram compared to the 20,000 from Forfar and Kirriemuir assumed to use a joint facility.”
A spokesman for Angus Council said the local authority is striving to meet “modern demand” for a recycling centre that most people visit by car.
“This proposal for new and improved facilities comes against a background of severe budgetary pressures and a need to realise savings,” he added.
“But, if approved by elected members, this approximately £1m investment would provide modern bespoke services, in place of old facilities, to support community recycling and reuse opportunities.
“No decision has been taken at this stage but discussions have been held with community councils and local elected members.”