The firm behind the Perth incinerator plans has been accused of waging “psychological warfare”.
Councillor Peter Barrett responded with anger to the news that Grundon Waste Management could return with new proposals for an energy-from-waste plant on Shore Road.
While details have yet to be confirmed, Grundon is “assessing alternative technologies and plant designs” for the site.
Renewal of the bid to build an incinerator in the town centre could also damage the city status bid, according to MP Pete Wishart.
Mr Barrett has described any plans by the company for a return to the Fair City as “deeply disturbing.”
He said, “If they intend to submit another detailed planning application by mid-May they must already know what technology and process will be involved.
“To try to have it otherwise is simply not credible, and creating widespread panic and nervousness in the community with this sort of psychological warfare is reprehensible.”
He claimed the firm “misrepresented” the views expressed by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeal reporter.
Grundon estates manager Bob Nicholson told The Courier the reporter approved the principle of using the Shore Road site for an energy-from-waste plant and made many other positive points.
However, Mr Barrett rejected this, saying, “What the reporter actually said about the incinerator was, ‘I am in no doubt as to the unacceptability of the landscape and visual impacts and certain cultural heritage impacts of the proposal, based on the scale and massing proposed.’
“The reporter does not in any way make ‘many other positive points’ as Mr Nicholson claims. What was said was that the incinerator plan constituted over-development of the site and appeared shoe-horned into the site.
“It would adversely affect views into and across Perth. It would be visually dominant, would distract attention from the conservation area and individual listed buildings within it, all to the detriment of the setting of the Perth central conservation area.”
Mr Wishart, the MP for Perth and North Perthshire, has already written to Grundon.
He said, “Whereas Grundon have no chance whatsoever of success in securing an incinerator in our city centre, their persistence on this issue may damage our city status bid and our reputation as a tourist destination.
“The spectre of another dispute about a city centre incinerator can only damage the long-term prospects of our city.”
Mr Wishart also claimed the firm was trying to “coax” compensation from Perth and Kinross Council by making it revoke the outline planning consent.
“Grundon must know that they have no chance of success, but I suspect their plan is to try to coax the council into revoking the outline planning permission so that they can secure significant compensation payments,” he said.
“If this is their intention, they will, again, have no chance of success. The people of Perth will not accept massive payments to a company that seeks to desecrate our city centre when hard-pressed council services need supported.
“I hope that they will now withdraw any further incinerator proposal and accept the will of the people of Perth on this issue.”
Grundon Waste Management has previously made it clear that it is evaluating the contents of the Scottish Government report, although no firm plans have yet been drawn up.