Arguments over proposed waste site in Portobello begin

Plans for the waste site have already been rejected by the council

A waste management company has told a public inquiry that its plans for a controversial waste transfer site should go ahead.

Viridor's proposals were rejected by Edinburgh City Council in 2008 after residents of Portobello said it would cause excess noise and disturbance.

But the company appealed and the plans are now being considered by reporters appointed by the Scottish government.

The public inquiry is hearing evidence from the company and local campaigners.

Under the plans, industrial and commercial rubbish would be compacted at the site and then transferred onto rail for burial in Dunbar in East Lothian.

The company said this would enable more waste to be transported by rail rather than by road, and claimed it would be good for the city and the environment.

Zero waste won't happen without a network of 'next generation' green infrastructure on the ground Martin Grey Viridor

But Portobello residents formed an action group to oppose the site, which they said would be a blot on the seaside town's landscape.

The group, Pongs (Portobello Opposes New Garbage Site), argued that the plans would result in hundreds of lorries coming in and out of the site, and it claimed that it would create excess dirt, noise and disturbance near residential areas.

The first three days of the inquiry will hear evidence from Viridor.

The company's Scottish communications manager, Martin Grey, said: "The Scottish government's zero waste plans set an unambiguous direction of travel - waste minimisation, a new momentum for recycling, landfill reduction and recovering renewable energy from what remains.

"But zero waste won't happen without a network of 'next generation' green infrastructure on the ground.

"Viridor's proposal for a £7m road to rail transfer station offers a more sustainable solution to the transportation of waste for final disposal, taking 7,500 vehicle movements off the road each year, saving 490,000 road miles annually."

'Dominate skyline'

But local opponents have argued that the facility will not be properly screened and will dominate the skyline.

They have also claimed the transfer site does not need to be there.

Local councillor Stephen Hawkins said: "This is quite clearly a commercial venture and it is not following a waste strategy which has been agreed for the country as a whole.

"Viridor would be bringing waste into an urban area and this would have a huge impact on the Portobello conservation area.

"The company is not looking at this for the good of the community as a whole."

Opponents of the plans will have to chance to voice their objections after Viridor give evidence at the inquiry.

The hearing is expected to last until 19 February, and a decision will come later.