On the contrary Grunk, you are most welcome. Please spread awareness to others who may not be aware of this application. I know many of my neighbours believed that because there had been a period of silence on the issue, it had simply gone away. If only that were true!Grunk wrote: I seem to be posting a lot here, and I'm quite late to the party, but I have just found out about this (I know should read more local news). I hope no-one minds.
Proposed waste depot in Portobello
Excellent letter in today's EN (I wasn't sure which topic to post it under, but as this issue will soon be voted on I'll place it here. If you want it linked to another topic instead, Peter, just give me the nod!)
Let's see dawn of a bright new era for Portobello
Let's see dawn of a bright new era for Portobello
That site would really be an ideal location for a tram depot,
It could connect all of Edinburgh to the City Centre via the old Suburban rail loop.
I'm sure a waste station at that location would preclude the rail loop ever being used for public transport again though.
But as long as the Scottish executive get their airport express link, I guess that's enough for most folk...
Anyhow only a couple of weeks till the site visit, might be useful to seed other ideas for this site, in the councillors heads before they go for a look see.
It could connect all of Edinburgh to the City Centre via the old Suburban rail loop.
I'm sure a waste station at that location would preclude the rail loop ever being used for public transport again though.
But as long as the Scottish executive get their airport express link, I guess that's enough for most folk...
Anyhow only a couple of weeks till the site visit, might be useful to seed other ideas for this site, in the councillors heads before they go for a look see.
I think you are misunderstanding, I'm referring to the tram as the Scottish executive-airport link, as it goes from the SE HQ to the airport, whilst avoiding a lot of Edinburgh.
Anyway, transport is a different issue for a different thread, I'm just suggesting that as the waste transfer site is going to be operational for 50 years, perhaps a degree of consideration for the other uses that the freight liner terminal could be put to in that time period, might be a reasonable.
But not only that, there should be consideration for the change in the way that we might deal with waste over the next 50 years.
Household waste increases by about 3% every year, which means that it will double twice over before the 50 years is up.
Currently we (UK) recycle only 27% of our waste, but at least 80% of waste can be recycled.
Now if we are going to bring all this waste to one location, shouldn't that location be big enough for the expansion both due to the increase in waste over time as well as any expansion that may occur due to an increase in recycling technologies?
Anyway, transport is a different issue for a different thread, I'm just suggesting that as the waste transfer site is going to be operational for 50 years, perhaps a degree of consideration for the other uses that the freight liner terminal could be put to in that time period, might be a reasonable.
But not only that, there should be consideration for the change in the way that we might deal with waste over the next 50 years.
Household waste increases by about 3% every year, which means that it will double twice over before the 50 years is up.
Currently we (UK) recycle only 27% of our waste, but at least 80% of waste can be recycled.
Now if we are going to bring all this waste to one location, shouldn't that location be big enough for the expansion both due to the increase in waste over time as well as any expansion that may occur due to an increase in recycling technologies?
Suspect you heard me as well!Sandra wrote:ditto, saw Marya but she never saw usmichael_traill wrote:Seen the PONGS team out in the High Street. Placards and slogans being shouted....looked busy when i walked past a couple of people were signing the petition.
You won't evade me so easily next time you know! 
The main purpose of the Saturday stall is to raise awareness and let people know the state of play - it is quite concerning just how many people either haven't heard about the application or think it has just 'gone away'. There are also a few folk, who, mistakingly, think it is a Council run facility for our domestic waste; remember this is an application from a Private company, who are wanting to build the largest transfer site of its kind in Scotland, here in Portobello, the purpose of which is to handle commercial waste from all over the Central belt, Fife, the Lothians and the Borders. It is not "our responsibility" to help Viridor increase their profit margins
There's been great local support of the PONGS campaign and would be useful to see as many posters as possible displayed in windows, ahead of this Wednesday's site inspection by the planning committee. If you haven't got a poster visit http://www.portobellopongs.com for contact details and request one!
edit - corrected grammatical error
Last edited by Maria on 23 Jun 2008, 13:27, edited 1 time in total.
I forgot to mention in my earlier posting that I couldnt stop and sign the petition on saturday as i was in Council attire and when a Council employee is conducting duties on behalf of the Council neutrality in all matters political is required.......so I didnt stop to sign it incase I was spotted, ive already been in trouble this month from the council for breaching this rule by posting about a cnd march on the Internal staff forum for Council workers....but if you are out again I will make a point of finding you to sign the petition..i ofcourse am against the plans!Marya wrote:Suspect you heard me as well!Sandra wrote:ditto, saw Marya but she never saw usmichael_traill wrote:Seen the PONGS team out in the High Street. Placards and slogans being shouted....looked busy when i walked past a couple of people were signing the petition.
The main purpose of the Saturday stall is to raise awareness and let people know the state of play - it is quite concerning just how many people either haven't heard about the application or think it has just 'gone away'. There's also a few folk, who, mistakingly, think it is a Council run facility for our domestic waste; remember this is an application from a Private company, who are wanting to build the largest transfer site of its kind in Scotland, here in Portobello, the purpose of which is to handle commercial waste from all over the Central belt, Fife, the Lothians and the Borders. It is not "our responsibility" to help Viridor increase their profit margins
There's been great local support of the PONGS campaign and would be useful to see as many posters as possible displayed in windows, ahead of this Wednesday's site inspection by the planning committee. If you haven't got a poster visit http://www.portobellopongs.com for contact details and request one!
From yesterday's EN
It is worth noting that the Council have voted to delete from the Edinburgh Draft Local Plan that Powderhall would be demolished to make way for housing. Instead, Powderhall will remain open beyond 2015.
Waste plant opponents set out their stall
CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for a waste transfer station are holding a stall on Portobello High Street on Saturday.
It will be operating from 10.30am for two hours, with volunteers collecting signatures on petitions and giving out window posters and leaflets.
The £7 million scheme would transform a former rail freight yard off Sir Harry Lauder Road into a waste transfer station.
The new plant, which would be privately run by the council's main waste contractor Viridor, has been widely tipped as a potential long-term replacement for the city's dilapidated facility at Powderhall.
The Portobello plant could handle more than twice as much waste.
From today's EN :
Rubbish idea for waste site has yet to be endorsed
Rubbish idea for waste site has yet to be endorsed
Look out for this leaflet coming through your door over the next few days:
URGENT - Last chance to STOP waste transfer station
Application no 07/04148
You will already know about the proposal to site a waste transfer station just off Sir Harry Lauder Road where the freightliner terminal used to be. It will be considered by the Planning Committee on Wednesday 30th July and we fear that the Council may approve the application. HOWEVER, this proposal has NOT been decided yet and you can still influence the decision. Here are some points to make in your objection:
This is not OUR waste. It will be commercial and industrial waste trucked in from a wide area. There are no plans to close Powderhall in the foreseeable future;
The Council is not behind this proposal. It is being pushed by a commercial company who are trying to drive the waste strategy;
No assessment has been made on the increased number of lorries, congestion and safety aspects of the junctions at both ends of Sir Harry Lauder Road. There are fears that this traffic will spill onto other roads in the immediate vicinity;
The visual impact of the proposed huge shed will be detrimental to residents and visitors alike. It betrays the Portobello Conservation Area;
Residents’ fears about loss of amenity, increased noise, light pollution and risk of vermin have not been adequately addressed by the developers;
The proposal for 24 hour operation and weekend working is totally unacceptable.
Please email or write to the Councillors directly at City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh EH15 1YJ, saying ‘I object to the Viridor proposal and I ask you to give local objections a lot of weight when you consider this application on 30 July’, adding the above points and any others you wish. You need to do this BEFORE 29 July to give them chance to read your objection.
Planning Committee Members able to vote are:
steve.burgess@edinburgh.gov.uk; charles.dundas@edinburgh.gov.uk; lesley.hinds@edinburgh.gov.uk; colin.keir@edinburgh.gov.uk; jim.lowrie@edinburgh.gov.uk; stuart.mcivor@edinburgh.gov.uk; eric.milligan@edinburgh.gov.uk;
elaine.morris@edinburgh.gov.uk; joanna.mowat@edinburgh.gov.uk; rob.munn@edinburgh.gov.uk; alastair.paisley@edinburgh.gov.uk; gary.peacock@edinburgh.gov.uk; cameron.rose@edinburgh.gov.uk; marjorie.thomas@edinburgh.gov.uk
Please also copy to local Councillors
maureen.child@edinburgh.gov.uk; stephen.hawkins@edinburgh.gov.uk; michael.bridgman@edinburgh.gov.uk
We are having demonstrations on Saturday 26th July at 11:30 am on Portobello High Street and at the City Chambers - just before the Planning Committee meets - on Wednesday 30th July at 8:30 am. Please come along and show your objection to this monstrous proposal.
Portobello Opposes New Garbage Site www.portobellopongs.com
The Council have today released their report on the application to build a waste transfer site at the freightliner terminal and, as feared, it recommends approval. The full report can be read here
This certainly seems a case of a private company driving Council policy as the report states :
This certainly seems a case of a private company driving Council policy as the report states :
..although the proposed site at Portobello is not initially a replacement for Powderhall, as a state of the art facility for the transfer of waste from road to rail, it is anticipated that this could eventually form the primary facility to manage waste
This proposal doesn't quite add up though...
It's meant to last for 50 years, with no plans for expansion. However it is only going to be used to compact waste for landfill. There is a drive to increase recycling (currently around 20% of waste is recycled, other european countries have rates of 60-80%). Unfortunately we can't rely on the good citizens of edinburgh to divide their waste into recyclable and non-recyclable waste, some folk have trouble actually putting their litter into bins in the first place.
So if this is the case, the only option would be to transfer all the waste to another facility, separate it into recyclable and non-recyclable waste, then transfer the non-recyclable waste to this facility, surely it would be easier to process both types of waste at the same location.
Also Viridor say noise will not be a problem, but then made a concession that reduces the hours of operation, surely there would be no need for this concession if noise wasn't a problem.
It's meant to last for 50 years, with no plans for expansion. However it is only going to be used to compact waste for landfill. There is a drive to increase recycling (currently around 20% of waste is recycled, other european countries have rates of 60-80%). Unfortunately we can't rely on the good citizens of edinburgh to divide their waste into recyclable and non-recyclable waste, some folk have trouble actually putting their litter into bins in the first place.
So if this is the case, the only option would be to transfer all the waste to another facility, separate it into recyclable and non-recyclable waste, then transfer the non-recyclable waste to this facility, surely it would be easier to process both types of waste at the same location.
Also Viridor say noise will not be a problem, but then made a concession that reduces the hours of operation, surely there would be no need for this concession if noise wasn't a problem.
<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edi ... 532874.stm"> thrown out 9 votes to 3 </a>
+1 for the objectors. But I believe Viridor have the right of appeal and public inquiry.
edit:- <a href="http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinb ... 4339779.jp"> or 11 to 3 if you read the Evening News</a>
+1 for the objectors. But I believe Viridor have the right of appeal and public inquiry.
edit:- <a href="http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinb ... 4339779.jp"> or 11 to 3 if you read the Evening News</a>
Last edited by Grunk on 30 Jul 2008, 17:14, edited 1 time in total.
I logged on here with some trepidation, but have spent the last minute jumping and shouting for joy in my hotel room after reading the verdict. I could give each of the 9 Councillors, who rejected the application, a great big hug. 
And Seanie, I'm sure you're right and Viridor will appeal, but let's just savour this moment.
I know there will be celebrations back home tonight and even though I can't join you in person I'll be with you in spirit(s). Who cares what the mini bar prices are?!
And Seanie, I'm sure you're right and Viridor will appeal, but let's just savour this moment.
I know there will be celebrations back home tonight and even though I can't join you in person I'll be with you in spirit(s). Who cares what the mini bar prices are?!
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Bob Jefferson
- Posts: 6212
- Joined: 11 Dec 2004, 21:16
- Location: Planet Porty
- Contact:
More media coverage on this issue:
From the trade website, MRW:
Viridor's waste transfer plans thrown out
From the Scotsman:
Protesters force £12m waste plant plan out of Portobello
Gavin Strang MP, writing in the Scotsman:
Waste depot decision the only sensible one
Also from the Scotsman:
Waste depot rejection: 'Few people want 200 lorries a day on their streets'
From the trade website, MRW:
Viridor's waste transfer plans thrown out
From the Scotsman:
Protesters force £12m waste plant plan out of Portobello
Gavin Strang MP, writing in the Scotsman:
Waste depot decision the only sensible one
Also from the Scotsman:
Waste depot rejection: 'Few people want 200 lorries a day on their streets'
Those who objected to Viridor's application have started to receive notification of, and invitation to, the pre-inquiry meeting. I haven't received a letter yet, but saw the one sent to the Community Council. The venue for the pre-inquiry meeting will be 'within a 10 mile radius' of the site and suggests a time of 2.00 pm and a date of either 26, 27 or 28th May. I suspect that an evening meeting would suit most folk far more, so hopefully this can be accommodated.
The reporter has been appointed and although no date has yet been set for the Public Inquiry (this will be done at the pre-inquiry meeting) it looks like it may be September.
PONGS need to raise considerable funds in order to engage expert witnessess in the fight against Viridor, so expect a series of fun fund raising activities.
I am delighted to say that the community has already started to dig into its pockets, with £1000 being donated to PONGS from PAS and £1000 from the Community Council.
The reporter has been appointed and although no date has yet been set for the Public Inquiry (this will be done at the pre-inquiry meeting) it looks like it may be September.
PONGS need to raise considerable funds in order to engage expert witnessess in the fight against Viridor, so expect a series of fun fund raising activities.
I am delighted to say that the community has already started to dig into its pockets, with £1000 being donated to PONGS from PAS and £1000 from the Community Council.
www.porty.org.uk
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Bob Jefferson
- Posts: 6212
- Joined: 11 Dec 2004, 21:16
- Location: Planet Porty
- Contact:
Why not ask Stephen Hawkins for the PCATS cash? Even though it was raised to combat a real live planning application for a superstore, surely there will be no issue donating the money to an entirely different cause that he and PCATS support?Marya wrote:
PONGS need to raise considerable funds in order to engage expert witnessess in the fight against Viridor, so expect a series of fun fund raising activities.
I am delighted to say that the community has already started to dig into its pockets, with £1000 being donated to PONGS from PAS and £1000 from the Community Council.
Maybe that's not such a good idea? PCATS claim to be hanging onto the cash because they have to remain vigilant to any threat of a superstore (even although that's not why the money was raised). What sort of signal would they send to the supporters of PCATS by giving their money away?
Maybe they could carry out one of their infamous "leaflets in the Deli and Woodwares" community consultations? It never ceases to amaze me that CAirns et all are all over the City Council for not having "widespread consultations". And what did the council do - held numerous public meetings, a statutory consultation, employed independent consultants to oversee the process then published the responses in full.
When it comes to PCATS - the quality of their consultation is measured by the number of leaflets they have printed (1000), the fact they left them in a couple of shops in Porty and then noone outside the core gets to see the responses. They just announce that whatever they want to do has the support of an "overwhelming" majority. Which of course could mean as few as 2 people. It is not realy good enough is it? Not when you hold £3000 of the community's cash and the stated objective has been achieved.
Not saying I don't support PONGS, merely that its not right to raise money for one thing then spend it on another, regardless of the merits of the cause.