PUBLIC MEETING
Bio-Digester Objections
Thursday 11August
At 7 pm
In the Seaboard Centre
PANEL
CHAIR Cosmo MacKenzie (Nigg CC)
Alastair Gill (BHCC)
Donald Ross (Fearn CC)
Sandra Skinner
Brian Gallagher (BHCC)
The chair welcomed members of the public and thanked them for their good turnout.
Donald Ross provided information from a farming perspective and knowledge of the digester process.
TRAFFIC
Acorn estimate 14,352 movements per annum
Movements of Rye/grass, silage & straw would be concentrated during July.
A lengthy discussion took place on the impact of large lorries carrying methane gas in rural areas. It was thought that it was too big a project and should not be situated where planned.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY
This should include
Wastewater
Vermin
Birds
Carbon neutral
Highland Council had deemed an environmental assessment is not necessary and this needs to be investigated further.
SAFETY
An explosive facility in close proximity of an operating distillery, airfield and whisky storage coupled with a limited local emergency service caused great concern at the meeting.
FARMING & FOOD PRODUCTION
There would be reduced acreage for food production
Reduced cattle feed ( Glenmorangie Distillery will put their draft to the digester) with consequences for small farms’ crofts.
The meeting opened up to the public at this point, and all of the above concerns were voiced.
Once the planning application goes in, people have 21 days to object and should do so INDIVIDUALLY along with the Community Councils. People were advised to lobby the local councillors
It was decided an action group would be set up to address putting information out via social media etc.
MEETING CLOSED
Contact details
c/0 Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
Councillor Derek Loudon
Telephone 07787835364
Email : derek.loudon.cllr@highland.gov.uk
Councillor Sarah Rawlings
Telephone 07760702504
Email: Sarah.Rawlings.cllr@highland.gov.uk
Councillor Alasdair Rhind
Telephone 07387234119
Email: alasdair.rhind.cllr@highland.gov
NOTE: COUNCILLORS CANNOT TAKE A POSITION ON A PLANNING APPLICATION UNTIL IT HAS BEEN FULLY EVALUATED. TO DO SO WOULD JEOPARDISE THEIR ABILITY TO VOTE.