A CITY politician is calling for questions to be answered over plans to erect a 230ft chimney in North West Glasgow.

 

SNP MSP Bill Kidd has warned of "too many unanswered questions" surrounding the W.H. Malcolm proposals and is backing resident's campaign to halt the development on South Street.

As reported in the Evening Times, the construction firm has submitted proposals to build the towering stack, taller than the Titan Crane, as part of their Energy Recovery Facility.

It would 'gasify' material including paper, wood and office waste, and residents are concerned for the impact on their health with around 150 people lodging formal objections.

They are also worried about the volume of traffic coming into the Scotstoun site, while planners say it would still be below maximum capacity.

Mr Kidd is calling for further assessments around noise levels, traffic flow, as well as particulate fall, to complement the existing detailed assessments on environmental health and pollution levels.

He said: "I have been contacted by a large number of constituents and community groups across the north-west of Glasgow to express their concerns over the planned 365 day-a-year 24/7 development by W H Malcolm in South Street.

"I believe there are still too many unanswered questions regarding potential risks to locals health and we need further impacts assessments on these before this project could be given the go ahead within a major urban conurbation.

"I would have hoped that the company would have taken these concerns into consideration before trying to push-on with this development.

"So, until more clarity is provided I think this process should be slowed down as it is right that all the local concerned groups are contacted and invited to be involved in a consultation and not only the residents that live south of Dumbarton Road within my constituency.

"There really has to be a lot more accountability."

Alasdair Wilson, Compliance Manager at W.H. Malcolm however hit back at Mr Kidd, saying he did not attend the exhibition to view the plans when invited.

He said: "Impact assessments are already in the public domain and have been for some time.

"Documents on air quality and human health risk assessment were on display at an exhibition in the Whiteinch Centre at Northinch Court on February 24 this year.

"MSPs, councillors, ward members and community council representatives were invited to attend.

"Bill Kidd, MSP for Anniesland, wrote thanking W.H. Malcolm for informing him.

"Sadly he didn't avail himself of the invitation to see the exhibition and the risk assessments.

"The company has scrupulously adhered to planning criteria and has consulted fully with all statutory bodies."