Talk of the town

During the debate, local MSPs Jackson Carlaw, Ken Macintosh and Stewart Maxwell all spoke out against the plans.

Glasgow’s Green MSP Patrick Harvie also voiced his opposition to the 29 hectare development on greenbelt land which includes a dozen 200 foot chimney stacks.

Mr Macintosh said: “To say that the plant is not wanted is a huge understatement.

“The developer has pulled off the remarkable feat of uniting nearly everyone, including all the locally elected representatives a matter of weeks from an election.

“It is a measure not just of the scale of the opposition to the plant but of the lack of any kind of convincing argument for it”.

The politicians are standing alongside the local Loganswell community who continue to voice their concerns.

In a discussion with The Extra, LRV CEO Brian Kilgour revealed that he has approached owners of surrounding properties that would be directly affected by the proposal, offering 20% above market value to buy their property.

Ian Brown, secretary of Eastwood Golf Club — which would border LRV if the proposal goes ahead — told The Extra: “We have categorically not received any formal offer to buy the golf club.

“We are fundamentally against the proposal. It would have a detrimental effect on the golf club”.

Potential neighbour Ronnie Munn has his own proposal to build on the “greenbelt” land discouraged by East Renfrewshire Council

When the 76-year-old approached East Renfrewshire Council with a view to proposing to build a bungalow on his land so that his disabled wife could more easily move around the house, he was told he would have “no chance what so ever as it is greenbelt”.

When asked to comment on Mr Munn’s request, a council spokesman said: “Every planning application is examined on its own merits.

“This was never put in as a formal planning application and so was never put through the scrutiny that goes with that process.

“Anyone looking to build on the greenbelt would get the same advice and that is that there’s a presumption against building on the greenbelt other than for some recognised agricultural use.”

Lifetime recycling village can submit a formal planning application 12 weeks after submitting their proposal.

They submitted their proposal and began to undergo public consultation on January 27.

On March 24, Newton Mearns Community Council are holding a public meeting at 7pm at Mearns Castle High School.

LRV directors Neil Gallacher and Willy Findlater will attend to answer questions, however, CEO Brian Kilgour has declined the invitation.

Following the debate, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Scotland’s Environment Minister, confirmed: “The two key functions of the site (biomass gasification and mixed waste sorting) would require separate planning approval from both Scottish Ministers and East Renfrewshire council respectively.

“An extensive consultation process will be required for both under current legislation.”