A GROUP of residents have fired an early shot across the bows of Scottish Borders Council’s proposals for a huge waste transfer station near their homes on the outskirts of Galashiels.

“We would strongly object to this facility being built on this ground,” states John Birnie, chairman of the Coppersknowe Residents Association.

The council has already submitted a proposal of application notice (PAN) to its own planning department for the construction of the station on the site of the existing landfill area at Easter Langlee.

Dumping operations will cease there next year as the council strives to comply with a 2021 Scottish Government ban on all biodegradable waste going to landfill.

The council was forced to re-think its strategy last year when it scrapped a contract for a heat generating waste treatment plant on the site, at a write-off cost of £2.4m.

The new station, costing £5.5m to build and £5.1m a year to run, will, when fully operational, store the estimated 40,000 tonnes of household waste generated in the Borders annually before it is transported out of the region for treatment.

The Coopersknowe estate of private homes lies to the west of the C77 road towards the landfill site. On the other side of the road is the large Persimmon Homes development of Melrose Gait.

In his letter of objection, Mr Birnie states: “It looks like it will be built on land contaminated by the old landfill site which, up to 10-15 years ago, had no restrictions on it.

“When Persimmon decided to excavate the ground next to the landfill site, they disturbed the ground levels and methane gas started to escape.

“We are concerned that if the council digs foundations for the new transfer station, this will expose more methane gas.

“It is contaminated land and therefore planning permission should be rejected.”

The council intends submitting a detailed bid for planning consent following a series of local consultation meetings next month.