FRUSTRATED residents in Cardenden are still embroiled in an ongoing dispute regarding what they say are persistent problems with woodchip dust plaguing their housing estate.

For many people who live in the Jamphlars area of the village, the RWE site is continuing to be a problem as they believe the operators are not doing enough to store its woodchips properly, resulting in dust being blown onto their estate and depositing on cars and clothes.

At a recent community council meeting, the problem was brought up again but the residents feel they are no closer to finding a solution.

“Our community spent years campaigning to rid itself of coal dust, now it is being subjected to wood dust, all because the Glenrothes Biomass Plant is not operating effectively,” said David Taylor, secretary of Cardenden Community Council.

“Since operations started, well over a year ago, it became apparent that the Glenrothes plant was not operating effectively and wood and chippings were being stockpiled on other parts of the Jamphlars site, causing excessive dust in the community.

“Complaints were made to the company and efforts were made to control the dust problems.” However, residents do not believe that enough is being done, and have concerns that retrospective planning permission could be approved for the site, allowing the owners to store and chip the additional material.

“This is not the answer, and it would be vigorously opposed,” added Mr Taylor.

The Cardenden residents recently attended a meeting in Markinch, which allowed people to voice their concerns to SEPA about the Biomass plant and its operations, but Mr Taylor believes there is only one practical solution. “RWE needs to regulate the wood supply until the Biomass plant is fully operational, thereby reducing the accumulated material stored at Jamphlars and enabling the site to function in accordance with the original planning permission,” he said.

“Our community has tolerated the Jamphlars site, because assurances were given it would be restored, but now it is being exploited with even more activities.

“A full assessment of the cumulative effects of this site on the community now needs to be undertaken, as health problems are now being reported.” Cardenden resident Fiona Soutar took matters into her own hands on Friday and decided to film the huge dust clouds getting knocked into the air during work.

“On the right of the picture you can clearly see the activity of the JCB bucket loading the lorry and the huge clouds of dust generated by the loading activity,” she explained. “The clouds of dust drift further to the right of the picture and are then blown over the Jamphlars Road between Annfield House and Pitcairn Road.

“I find it incredible and unbelievable that the company can consider this activity to be acceptable and that those responsible for operating the machinery at the time did not take action to ensure that the water jets were positioned in such a way as to be effective in minimising the spread of dust.

The operators of the site have been trying to alleviate any problems at the Jamphlars site and are committed to working with residents to sort out any situations that occur.