Calls to halt incinerator being built near Stonehouse

Viridor is applying to create one on Overwood Farm

Viridor are proposing to create an incinerator on Overwood Farm.
Author: Callum McQuadePublished 16th Feb 2021

Plans to build an incinerator near Stonehouse are being called "opportunist" and "unacceptable".

Clyde News is exclusively speaking to a campaign group trying to stop it from being constructed.

The waste firm Viridor wants to submit an application to construct the facility at Overwood Farm later this year.

John Young is leading Dovesdale Action Group and is furious the company is pushing forward with its proposals during the current lockdown.

He said: "It doesn't allow us to meet, co-ordinate and actually protest against this and they fine well know that.

"We have made an objection to the Scottish Government through the chief planning officer.

"We also asked the council to have that application delayed."

Viridor opened an online consultation process last week where members of the public can share their thoughts on the proposals.

It is also hosting the first of four live chat sessions on Thursday for the community.

John added: "Not everybody is online and not everybody is on social media so I don't know how everyone can be made aware of this application.

"They have only put out 4,000 leaflets, but we are in an application area which is meant to be of a 10 kilometer radius."

A spokesperson for Viridor said: "The proposed Overwood Energy Recovery Facility is a state-of-the-art waste management development that will play a vital role in diverting waste which cannot be recycled away from landfill, in preparation for the forthcoming Scottish Government 2025 landfill ban.

"Viridor prioritises public consultation and community engagement on all its projects and is closely following guidance recently issued by the Scottish Government on the temporary suspension of public events in relation to pre-application consultation due to COVID-19.

As well as distributing nearly 4,000 newsletters to the local community, a project website (overwooderf.com) has been created. The development team will also be hosting four live chat sessions over the coming weeks, with the first taking place on the project website this Thursday from 2pm to 6pm.

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