After months of debate and consultation, plans for a waste ‘gasification’ plant at Binn Farm near Glenfarg have been submitted with Perth and Kinross Council.
If given the green light, a plant capable of dealing with 60,000 tonnes of municipal waste would be created on the site.
Those behind the scheme claim it could generate enough electricity to heat and light the equivalent of almost 8000 homes.
Original proposals for an incineration unit at Binn Farm caused an outcry from locals concerned about pollution and health effects.
However, applicant SITA UK insists alternative plans for the gasification plant have been positively received.
Gasification involves heating waste to a high temperature in a sealed chamber in the near absence of oxygen, so that organic materials in the waste do not burn but instead reform into synthesis gas known as syngas.
This mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane rather than the waste itself is then burnt to generate electricity.
The proposal forms part of wider plans to develop the Binn Eco Innovation Park.
Led by Binn Skips Ltd, it is envisaged that the complex would also include other sustainable waste treatment facilities and clean technology businesses.”Positive feedback”SITA UK Scotland strategic development manager Martin Cracknell said, “I believe that the proposals contained in our planning application can provide a solution to the area’s waste management needs for years to come while also meeting the impending challenges of the Scottish Government’s ‘zero waste’ plan.”
He insisted that public consultation revealed support for the application.
Mr Cracknell said, “I would like to thank everyone who attended our community engagement sessions and gave us their feedback.
“We have taken all of the comments on board and hope that we have managed to address any questions that were raised as part of our consultation with local community members.
“We received some very positive feedback on our plans and we will continue to have an open dialogue.”
Mr Cracknell said the application could put Perthshire at the cutting edge of waste management.
He said, “Gasification is emerging as an effective way to manage waste at a community scale, recovering energy from residual waste that would traditionally have been landfilled and helping to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.”
In a separate move, SITA UK have written to Perth and Kinross Council outlining intention to apply for a delay to the end date for Binn Farm’s landfill site.
SITA hope to operate until 2018 instead of 2014.