Row over controversial Scottish Water development in Ardersier
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One of the most contentious planning developments in recent years has resurfaced after Scottish Water started work without planning permission on an Ardersier waste treatment works.
Despite being a public body, Scotland’s water provider went ahead with works to increase the height of what is called a picket fence thickener tank – where waste water is held and processed – as well as inlet works and an electrical substation.
The moves sparked fury at Highland Council’s south planning committee where one member described the move as disgraceful, another said a seven figure would be appropriate and third said it was “sneaky.”
An enforcement notice had to be served on Scottish Water to get it to submit a retrospective application for planning permission but members were in no mood to be compliant when it did not contain any visualisations of the site or the work.
In the end the application was deemed to contain too little information and was deferred for Scottish Water to come back after meeting with locals and to provide an explanation.
Cllr Ron MacWilliam said: “It does appear that Scottish Water came forward with a highly contentious application, it was passed by this committee and they have built something completely different.
“That appears to be the situation to me, if not completely different then certainly an awful lot higher – this is all quite disgraceful.
“Has there been no comment from Scottish Water about how they could change the arrangement of this tank and the height of it at a very minimum to comply with the principles upon which the original application was agreed?”
A planning officer replied: “No. As far as I understand, no. The works were undertaken and the works were brought to our attention, so we then entered an enforcement notice on them to require them to submit an application for the changes.”
Local member for Culloden and Ardersier, Cllr Roddy Balfour tore into both Scottish Water and the recommendation to approve the application.
“The report notes that this retrospective application has now ‘provided the opportunity for the community to engage’ – well, let us engage. This is a fine attitude but there are no indications of any changes to this whatsoever.
“The development is admitted that will sit higher within the site while ‘considered to be significantly detrimental to visual amenity and/or to the character of the nearby Ardersier or Fort George.’ I think that is one of the most absurd statements I have ever read.
“The increase in height of around 2.3 metres is not considered to be significant enough is subjective judgement – that is completely a subjective, value judgement and has no place in this kind of debate.
“We have no power to fine them but I would suggest that a seven figure fine would be more suitable in this situation but surely we have some power to get compensation for the community.”
Cllr Andrew Jarvie called on the Scottish Government to bring Scottish Water into line saying: “This has to be one one of the worst planning applications I have dealt with. This waste treatment plant was incredibly contentious and had the community up in arms.
“So for a public body to completely ignore the height and size restrictions which were agreed and to just build what they wanted and to face planning enforcement action is nothing more than corporate arrogance.
“Scottish Water is not above the law and cannot use flimsy arguments like health and safety to sneak in something which is now nearly 50% taller than previous. This is not a minor error, it’s deliberately sneaky.”
“The Scottish Government need to urgently step in to reel Scottish Water in because their behaviour towards the Ardersier community is utterly inexcusable”
