COMMUNITY councillors are alarmed at the decision by Fife Council's Central Area Planning Committee to grant an application for an incinerator at the Green Energy Park on the former Westfield Opencast Mining site.

At the Cardenden Community Council meeting, last week, dismay was expressed that the planning committee had approved the proposed plans for an incinerator.

Since Westfield is located between the Central and West areas it had previously been agreed by councillors that any development on this site would be a joint decision of the two planning committees.

Said CCC secretary, David Taylor: "Everyone is keen to see this site restored and industrial units built to create jobs, but not destroyed by another incinerator which will seriously affect the surrounding environment and communities.

"It is now National Policy to start reducing diesel and green house gas emissions, yet this project will increase both".

He added: "It has been stated that 11 new facilities are to be built in Scotland, but national reports say that with ever increasing amounts of waste being recycled there is now an overcapacity of incinerators for the ever decreasing amount of waste available.

"The Scottish Government needs to bring forward its policies for alternative forms of energy production, such as solar power, which the Westfield site has been identified as suitable for, and this should be promoted for the benefit of all".

The community councillors are concerned that the incinerator plan will see the green aspect of the site tarnished.

Members also heard that a planning application has been submitted for a housing development on Cardenden Road. This, together with an approved development on an adjoining site, will greatly increase the affordable houses in the area, the council feels.

Members were heartened by the high level of support given to the local scout group after the fire at their hall.

The next Community Council meeting will be held on Thursday March 21 at 7pm in the Corrie Centre.