Although Scotland has banned the development of incinerators, a new one is being proposed for Irvine. Read on for more information and how to object to this application. Friends of the Earth have made it simple for us by constructing an email that is ready to send when you follow the link. The following information is from the Friends of the Earth press release. Featured image by Octavian Catana on Unsplash.com
SEPA, Scotland’s environmental regulator, is seeking views from the public before it decides whether to grant a new incinerator in North Ayrshire a licence to operate.
Incinerators cause toxic pollution which can be harmful to the health of local people. They contribute to climate breakdown and prevent effective reuse and recycling of materials.
Scotland banned new incinerators three years ago, but now one is set to open in Irvine if it’s not stopped.
Loopholes in the legislation mean incinerators already in the planning system can evade the ban. The Oldhall Energy Recovery Facility in Irvine was given planning permission in 2020. If it is allowed to start operating, the Oldhall incinerator will impact the local community and cause significant damage on a wider scale.
Scotland’s environmental regulator SEPA must grant the incinerator a permit before it is allowed to start operating. SEPA must consult with the public before it makes its decision. The consultation is now open and by objecting to a permit being awarded, you can show SEPA and the Scottish Government that there is strong opposition from the public.
Anyone can object to the incinerator, not just local residents, and the more people that respond, the greater the chance of stopping it.
Take action and email SEPA to let them know you object to these plans. We’ve drafted an email that you can edit and send by clicking this link
Once the consultation period is closed, SEPA will respond to everyone who took part and make a decision on whether to grant the operating license or not.