Residents protest against plans for animal feed plant
Hundreds of residents have signed a petition against a planned animal feed and waste processing plant in Heathhall, Scotland.
They fear the proposals for the joint development near the old runaway at Dumfries Enterprise Park will result in increased traffic, excess noise, bad smells and vermin in surrounding areas.
Susan Parry, of Ashgrove, told the Standard: “This will affect every resident in Heathhall – that’s more than 3,000 people. We have many concerns, especially the increase in traffic, noise and bad smells. “It is incomprehensible that the council would even consider giving planning permission for these types of developments in an area that has such a massive concentration of families.
“The company behind the animal plant has three similar facilities in England but none are near residential areas like this – these will be less than 100 yards from our houses and it is just incomprehensible how much of an impact these developments will have.”
Householders met with representatives of the firms behind the plans – NWF Agriculture and Armstrong Waste Management – on Tuesday night to highlight concerns. The planning applications are expected to go before councillors in July.
Sheena Ross, of Sutherland Way, said: “I don’t think the guys who showed us the plans at a meeting at the library last month had any idea of the strength of feeling within this community. “These facilities will be operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week and if we don’t organise our objections now it will be too late. Apart from the concerns about noise, smell, litter, haulage trucks, you have to think about the look of these plants – and the fact that some residents will have this view out of their windows.”
She added: “Hundreds of people have signed the petitions and they are available in lots of places including Tesco at Heathhall, Cavens in Dumfries and Tarff valley.
“What people in Dumfries need to realise is that this is not just a problem for the residents of Heathhall – everyone in Dumfries will be affected. The smell will blow towards Georgetown, Locharbriggs, Marchfield, everything on the way to New Abbey.”
A spokesperson for NWF and Armstrong Waste Management said: “Comments from the residents’ group are welcomed and it is hoped that both these developments will provide significant new employment and benefits to the local economy.”
Daily Record
