Benbecula incinerator plans

Raft of objections against incinerator by petrol station 22/9/14

Planning permission for a controversial animal-product waste incinerator in Benbecula will be debated by the Comhairle’s planning committee tomorrow (Tues).

A total of 43 objections, and a 35-signature strong petition, have been raised in relation to the proposed incinerator, by Creagorry Motors’s Crossroads filling station.

George MacDonald of site owners, Westside Motors, has applied to convert the present bus garage into an incinerator services building to house a four tonne waste incinerator plant to burn animal by-products, primarily fish farm waste.

Fears have been raised about the close proximity of an incinerator to the petrol station forecourt and the potential for sparks or hot gasses escaping from the flue igniting petrol or diesel fumes.

“Are the underground fuel tanks serving the fuel pumps in a safe proximity from the proposed incinerator?” questions one objection, adding: “I am aware of the fact that the underground fuel tank supplying the pumps is venting onto the bus garage; the very building that is the subject of the “change of use” application.”

Other concerns include health implications due to ash and odours/noxious smells; as well as worries over the storage of animal waste, spillage into the surrounding environment and the proposal being sited within a primarily residential area, close to homes, two hotels and numerous B&Bs.