Information on the Proposed Application to Develop an Energy from Waste (EfW) Facility at Binn Farm, Glenfarg, Perth

Scotland’s Zero Waste Strategy and the associated legislative drivers are committed to the delivery of a sustainable resource management system to support the transition to a more circular and low carbon economy. The zero-waste plan supports all aspects of the waste hierarchy including waste prevention, preparing for re-use, recycling, recovery of other value (i.e. energy) and, as the last resort and where permitted, disposal.

In light of these legislative drivers including the forthcoming landfill ban and the extensive application of kerbside recycling for both household and commercial recyclates, and food waste, the most sustainable option for the remaining residual waste is to send this to Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities within Scotland.
The Binn Group proposes to submit an application to develop an Energy from Waste (EfW) facility at Binn Farm, Glenfarg, Perth Scotland PH2 9PX. The application is to develop an EfW facility capable of recovering energy from 84,900 tonnes of waste per annum (tpa), an extension of 24,900 tonnes on the 2007 and 2011 planning permissions.

This facility will not only provide a solution for the non-recyclable residual waste generated on site, but will also be available as a residual waste management option for the neighbouring local authority and private waste contractors, as well as contributing to the capacity Scotland needs to take full responsibility for the treatment of its own residual waste.

In January 2020 Binn Group circulated a draft planning application relating to the above development and voluntarily undertook a community engagement exercise.

Pre-Application Consultation (PAC)

Following further discussion by Binn Group with Perth & Kinross Council’s Planning Team, this draft was withdrawn and a formal Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) phase is now being undertaken prior to the submission of a full planning application. The PAC is designed to inform and consult with the local community on the proposals before a detailed planning application is submitted to Perth & Kinross Council.

This amended approach reflects a change in the agreed consultation process compared to that outlined in the draft application of January 2020. Other aspects of the proposed planning application are unchanged at this time.

The consultation phase will run from 16th July to 31st July 2020 at 17:00

Pre-Application Consultation Steps

  • Proposal of Application Notice served

On 17th March 2020, Binn Group submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to Perth & Kinross Council Planning Team. The Council confirmed on 14th April 2020 that the PAN complied with regulations 6 and 7 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2013, and section 35A (1) of the Planning Act.

The PAN was served on the following Community Councils and Elected Members in line with guidance provided by Perth & Kinross Council Planning Team.

Community Councils:

Auchtermuchty & Strathmiglo CC

Glenfarg CC

Earn CC

Abernethy CC

Elected Ward Councillors:

P&KC – Ward 8 Kinross-shire (Cllrs Barnacle, Robertson, Purves, Watters)

P&KC – Ward 9 Almond & Earn (Cllrs Anderson, Baird, Illingworth)

Fife Council – Howe of Fife & Tay Coast covering Auchtermuchty & Strathmiglo (Cllrs Heer, Lothian, MacDairmid)

John Nicolson MP

Roseanna Cunningham MSP

  • Consultation Methods of Engagement

A number of communication channels have been established in order to ensure the public can comment on the proposed application if they so choose.

Online Consultation Event: the public are being encouraged to participate in an online consultation event with representatives from the Binn Group to hear details of the proposed application and to make comment on it. The online consultation event will take place on Thursday 16th July 2020 from 18:30 – 20:30 and will comprise presentations followed by a live questions and answers webinar. The event can be accessed by following this link www.binnefw.co.uk

  • Persons are not required to register to view the presentations, however registration is required to participate in the live question and answers webinar.
  • To register visit www.binnefw.co.uk and click on “Register”.
  • All questions registered during the event by participants will be responded to even if not addressed verbally by the panel during the event.
  • Persons without internet access can listen to the live webinar on Thursday 16th July 2020 by telephoning 0330 221 9922 and entering PIN 233-530-868. Call charges may apply, please check with your call provider. The live questions and answers session is scheduled to start at 19:15.
  • Presentations and an audio recording of the live webinar will remain online at www.binnefw.co.uk until the end of the consultation period on Friday 31st July 2020.

Comments to Binn Group relating to the proposed application can also be submitted in the following ways:

Consultation documentation/information will remain on this webpage until end of consultation period on 31st July.

Presentations and audio recording of Q&A webinar to remain on the online event webpage (www.binnefw.co.uk) until end of consultation period.

Q&As and comments from the event will be transcribed and added to the list of FAQs on this webpage.

Comments, questions and responses noted during the live questions and answers session and by email, telephone and post will inform the Pre-Application Consultation Report which Binn Group are required to submit as part of their detailed planning application to Perth & Kinross Council. 

Comments made to Binn Group are not representations to Perth & Kinross Council Planning Department. When Binn Group formally submits the planning application there will be an opportunity for the public to make representations on the application to Perth & Kinross Council Planning Department directly.

All comments to be received by 17:00 on Friday 31st July 2020.

  • Promotion of Consultation

The consultation event and how to engage with the process has been promoted using the following routes:

  • Public Notice: published in the Perthshire Advertiser and The Courier press titles.
  • Email: online event details circulated to local constituency MP and MSP, Community Councils and Elected Members (as noted above) with a request they promote more widely to their own communities.
  • Social Media: Binn Group social accounts (as noted above) used to promote event, information and encourage participation in consultation.
  • Binn Group website: a holding banner promoting the online event and a direct link to it (www.binnefw.co.uk)
  • Direct mailing: all residential properties within a 1km radius of the proposed development were notified by mail of the consultation event and sources of information.
  • Press briefing note: circulated to raise awareness of consultation, key information and how to engage.

The following community information documents are now available to view:

Community Information Leaflet

Executive Summary

Community Briefing Note

Draft Environmental Impact Assessment

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