Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston

Archived press releases

21st March 2010

Community rallies in opposition to dirty coal plans

At a recent campaign meeting members of CONCH condemned Ayrshire Power's false claims that their proposed coal station would be clean; as well as their complete failure to carry out any meaningful consultation with local people before lodging their plans last week.

Co-chair of CONCH, Tim Cowen says:

“Muir Miller is lying when he says that Ayrshire Power has consulted widely. There were four public exhibitions held over 5 months ago, but this was before DONG pulled out and new Carbon Capture regulations came into force. The plans submitted to the Scottish Government last week will be substantially different those on display in October. ”

The final decision on the application will be made by the Scottish Government, but in the meantime If North Ayrshire Council formally object, this could trigger a public inquiry and finally give local people a chance to have their voices heard.

CONCH are urging local councilors to come out publicly against the coal station proposals.

Maggie Kelly added:

“We can’t find a single person in favour of this coal-station, except for those with a vested commercial interest in it. Last week MSPs voted against it in the Scottish parliament. We are calling on North Ayrhsire Council to listen to the wishes of the community and join us in opposing these plans.”

Over the coming weeks CONCH will providing written information about how people can object to Ayrshire Powers plans and keeping people informed of all key developments via our website www.conchcampaign.org and e-mail bulletins. CONCH also plan to host a public meeting in mid-late April, in order to mobilise as many objections to Ayrshire Power’s plans as possible.

Anyone wanting to help CONCH or find out more information should email info@conchcampaign.org.

19.12.09

CONCH Condemn Copenhagen failure.

Members of CONCH ¹ today expressed their dismay and anger at the failure of world leaders to reach a legally binding agreement in Copenhagen.

Tim Cowen co-chair of CONCH said:
“At Copenhagen, world leaders kept telling us how committed they are to tackling climate change, but have shamefully failed to reach a deal. It’s an utter disgrace and a really sad day for not just us, but for anyone who cares about the future of our planet.”
CONCH believes that the failure of the Copenhagen to reach a collective agreement, makes its more vital than ever for individual countries to take bold steps to reduce C02 emissions and are calling on the Scottish Government to abandon their support for the proposed building of a new coal station at Hunterston in North Ayrshire.

Peter McGlone, member of CONCH adds:
“If the Scottish Government are serious about tackling climate change, then they have to match rhetoric with action. At Copenhagen they claimed that Scotland is a world leader and an example to other countries with their targets of reducing carbon emissions by 42% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. ² Yet at the same time they are supporting plans to build a new 1600 MW coal-fired power station on Scotland’s West Coast through its inclusion within their National Planning Framework.” ³

Fellow campaigner Fiona MacIntosh concludes:
“The Scottish Government’s support for a dirty ⁴ coal-fired power station at Hunterston makes a mockery of their commitment to cut carbon emissions and will make it impossible for them to reach their own climate change targets.”

Notes for editors:

¹ CONCH is a community-led, voluntary and independent campaign opposed to the building of a dirty coal power station at Hunterston in North Ayrshire.
Launched at a public meeting in Largs in July 2009, we are campaigning to:

prevent climate change through increases in Scotland’s CO2 emissions
stop the devastation of the local environment
safeguard the public’s health.

For more information about CONCH email: info@conchcampaign.org

² The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 received Royal Assent on August 4, 2009, Part 1 of the Act, creates the statutory framework for greenhouse gas emissions reductions in Scotland by setting an interim 42 per cent reduction target for 2020, with the power for this to be varied based on expert advice, and an 80 per cent reduction target for 2050.

³ The National Planning Framework (NPF) sets out a number of strategic developments of national importance across Scotland and includes a new coal station at Hunterston. Once named in the NPF, developments have in effect, advance approval. Objections to any planning application can only be lodged in relation to the detail of the development - not the need for the development.

⁴ Current Scottish Government policy on carbon capture is that to approve a 1600MW station (such as proposed at Hunterston), the developer only has to show that the coal station has a technical capacity for carbon capture on 300MW of its output. In other words, over 80% of all its carbon emissions would be pumped directly into the atmosphere.

Community campaigners say "now is the time to abandon plans for dirty coal at Hunterston".

Monday 12th October 2009

Controversial plans to build a massive new coal fired power station at Hunterston in North Ayrshire were dealt a severe blow when DONG Energy, one of the two partners in the plan suddenly announced they were withdrawing (1). Following an announcement last week of cuts to their investment programme, CEO of DONG, Anders Eldrup, confirmed over the weekend that they have pulled out of Hunterston.

CONCH have highlighted how the proposed coal power station would have a devastating impact on the community, damaging health, livelihoods and the local environment as well as resulting in unnecessary and damaging increases in Scotland’s CO2 emissions. Members have also lodged a legal challenge to the Scottish Government, in order to get their voices heard in the planning process.

Maggie Kelly, a spokesperson for CONCH said:
“No doubt when DONG were trying to decide which projects to drop, the fact that Hunterston has massive local opposition and an outstanding legal challenge would have helped make their mind up.”

Tim Cowen, for CONCH, said:
“The fact that DONG have withdrawn at this critical stage also highlights what we have been arguing all along – that carbon capture is not yet financially or technically viable on a commercial scale. Clean Coal is a myth.
“We welcome DONG’s withdrawal and are now calling on Peel Energy to do the only sensible thing left open to them – and abandon these plans for good.”

Background Information

1. DONG Energy were a 50% partner with Peel Energy in Ayrshire Power, the intended applicants for permission to build the proposed new coal station at Hunterston.

Scottish Government taken to court as community says ‘No’ to proposed new coal power station

Thursday 24 September 2009

Plans to build a new coal-fired power station at Hunterston in North Ayrshire, are to be subject of a legal challenge it was revealed today. Despite being faced with legal costs of over £100,000 if they lose, people from the local community have this week appealed for a judicial review of the plans on the grounds that the Scottish Government have not consulted the public according to standards required by European law and that assessments that were carried out did not adequately examine alternatives to a coal-fired power station. (1)

Maggie Kelly, of CONCH and a local resident, said:

Clare Symonds, Maggie Kelly,
Frances McCartney and Tim Cowen

“The proposed power station would have a devastating impact on our community, damaging our health, our livelihoods and destroying the local environment. It would also mean unnecessary and damaging increases in Scotland’s CO2 emissions leading to further climate chaos which will affect us all – across Scotland and globally. Yet under the National Planning Framework, we have been denied the opportunity to object to this major development.”

Hunterston coal fired power station was a late addition to the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework (NPF) and was first mentioned four months after the main consultation was closed. As a result the public were unaware that this major development was proposed until it was too late to comment. Once developments are named in the NPF it is almost impossible for people to object to them. People can influence details such as the design and landscaping when the application goes in, but basically the presumption is that the development will go ahead. (2)

Clare Symonds of Planning Democracy (3), who are supporting the legal challenge, said:

“The NPF consultation makes a mockery of the Government's promises to make planning more inclusive. The community have been totally marginalized and denied their democratic rights. Once again we are seeing people excluded in favour of vested interests and corporate power. We fully support the community in their legal challenge and ask that others do so by helping with the costs”."

Tim Cowen, of CONCH and local resident added:

“Local people may not have the financial resources of either the Scottish Government or the developers, but we do have justice on our side. By bringing people together our campaign intends to get our voices are heard and ensure that this disastrous proposal will never go ahead.”

Background information

1) The challenge relates to the Scottish Government’s compliance with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and with the European Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment (Directive 2001/42).

2) The National Planning Framework (NPF) is an important national policy document published in July this year. Since the Planning etc. Scotland Act 2006, it is now a legal requirement for Local Authorities to implement relevant parts of the NPF when producing Development Plans. The role of the NPF is “to guide the spatial development of Scotland to 2025”. This means it sets out the general location of major development and the transport connections between those locations. The document named 14 national developments one of which was Hunterston. Developments identified in the NPF will still be subject to local inquiries but objectors will not be able to challenge the NEED for them.

3) Planning Democracy is a voluntary organisation set up to campaign for a more inclusive and accountable planning system in Scotland. They formed in May 2009 in response to concerns that the new planning reforms are not delivering better public participation as promised.


> Press Release Home About CONCH Coal Station Proposal Contact us How to Object Donate Meetings Events Press Releases CONCH in the Media Info (Open Access) Links Human Rights	Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston Archived press releases 21st March 2010 Community rallies in opposition to dirty coal plans At a recent campaign meeting members of CONCH condemned Ayrshire Power's false claims that their proposed coal station would be clean; as well as their complete failure to carry out any meaningful consultation with local people before lodging their plans last week. Co-chair of CONCH, Tim Cowen says: “Muir Miller is lying when he says that Ayrshire Power has consulted widely. There were four public exhibitions held over 5 months ago, but this was before DONG pulled out and new Carbon Capture regulations came into force. The plans submitted to the Scottish Government last week will be substantially different those on display in October. ” The final decision on the application will be made by the Scottish Government, but in the meantime If North Ayrshire Council formally object, this could trigger a public inquiry and finally give local people a chance to have their voices heard. CONCH are urging local councilors to come out publicly against the coal station proposals. Maggie Kelly added: “We can’t find a single person in favour of this coal-station, except for those with a vested commercial interest in it. Last week MSPs voted against it in the Scottish parliament. We are calling on North Ayrhsire Council to listen to the wishes of the community and join us in opposing these plans.” Over the coming weeks CONCH will providing written information about how people can object to Ayrshire Powers plans and keeping people informed of all key developments via our website www.conchcampaign.org and e-mail bulletins. CONCH also plan to host a public meeting in mid-late April, in order to mobilise as many objections to Ayrshire Power’s plans as possible. Anyone wanting to help CONCH or find out more information should email info@conchcampaign.org. 19.12.09 CONCH Condemn Copenhagen failure. Members of CONCH ¹ today expressed their dismay and anger at the failure of world leaders to reach a legally binding agreement in Copenhagen. Tim Cowen co-chair of CONCH said: “At Copenhagen, world leaders kept telling us how committed they are to tackling climate change, but have shamefully failed to reach a deal. It’s an utter disgrace and a really sad day for not just us, but for anyone who cares about the future of our planet.” CONCH believes that the failure of the Copenhagen to reach a collective agreement, makes its more vital than ever for individual countries to take bold steps to reduce C02 emissions and are calling on the Scottish Government to abandon their support for the proposed building of a new coal station at Hunterston in North Ayrshire. Peter McGlone, member of CONCH adds: “If the Scottish Government are serious about tackling climate change, then they have to match rhetoric with action. At Copenhagen they claimed that Scotland is a world leader and an example to other countries with their targets of reducing carbon emissions by 42% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. ² Yet at the same time they are supporting plans to build a new 1600 MW coal-fired power station on Scotland’s West Coast through its inclusion within their National Planning Framework.” ³ Fellow campaigner Fiona MacIntosh concludes: “The Scottish Government’s support for a dirty ⁴ coal-fired power station at Hunterston makes a mockery of their commitment to cut carbon emissions and will make it impossible for them to reach their own climate change targets.” Notes for editors: ¹ CONCH is a community-led, voluntary and independent campaign opposed to the building of a dirty coal power station at Hunterston in North Ayrshire. Launched at a public meeting in Largs in July 2009, we are campaigning to: prevent climate change through increases in Scotland’s CO2 emissions stop the devastation of the local environment safeguard the public’s health. For more information about CONCH email: info@conchcampaign.org ² The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 received Royal Assent on August 4, 2009, Part 1 of the Act, creates the statutory framework for greenhouse gas emissions reductions in Scotland by setting an interim 42 per cent reduction target for 2020, with the power for this to be varied based on expert advice, and an 80 per cent reduction target for 2050. ³ The National Planning Framework (NPF) sets out a number of strategic developments of national importance across Scotland and includes a new coal station at Hunterston. Once named in the NPF, developments have in effect, advance approval. Objections to any planning application can only be lodged in relation to the detail of the development - not the need for the development. ⁴ Current Scottish Government policy on carbon capture is that to approve a 1600MW station (such as proposed at Hunterston), the developer only has to show that the coal station has a technical capacity for carbon capture on 300MW of its output. In other words, over 80% of all its carbon emissions would be pumped directly into the atmosphere. Community campaigners say "now is the time to abandon plans for dirty coal at Hunterston". Monday 12th October 2009 Controversial plans to build a massive new coal fired power station at Hunterston in North Ayrshire were dealt a severe blow when DONG Energy, one of the two partners in the plan suddenly announced they were withdrawing (1). Following an announcement last week of cuts to their investment programme, CEO of DONG, Anders Eldrup, confirmed over the weekend that they have pulled out of Hunterston. CONCH have highlighted how the proposed coal power station would have a devastating impact on the community, damaging health, livelihoods and the local environment as well as resulting in unnecessary and damaging increases in Scotland’s CO2 emissions. Members have also lodged a legal challenge to the Scottish Government, in order to get their voices heard in the planning process. Maggie Kelly, a spokesperson for CONCH said: “No doubt when DONG were trying to decide which projects to drop, the fact that Hunterston has massive local opposition and an outstanding legal challenge would have helped make their mind up.” Tim Cowen, for CONCH, said: “The fact that DONG have withdrawn at this critical stage also highlights what we have been arguing all along – that carbon capture is not yet financially or technically viable on a commercial scale. Clean Coal is a myth. “We welcome DONG’s withdrawal and are now calling on Peel Energy to do the only sensible thing left open to them – and abandon these plans for good.” Background Information 1. DONG Energy were a 50% partner with Peel Energy in Ayrshire Power, the intended applicants for permission to build the proposed new coal station at Hunterston. Scottish Government taken to court as community says ‘No’ to proposed new coal power station Thursday 24 September 2009 Plans to build a new coal-fired power station at Hunterston in North Ayrshire, are to be subject of a legal challenge it was revealed today. Despite being faced with legal costs of over £100,000 if they lose, people from the local community have this week appealed for a judicial review of the plans on the grounds that the Scottish Government have not consulted the public according to standards required by European law and that assessments that were carried out did not adequately examine alternatives to a coal-fired power station. (1) Maggie Kelly, of CONCH and a local resident, said: Clare Symonds, Maggie Kelly, Frances McCartney and Tim Cowen “The proposed power station would have a devastating impact on our community, damaging our health, our livelihoods and destroying the local environment. It would also mean unnecessary and damaging increases in Scotland’s CO2 emissions leading to further climate chaos which will affect us all – across Scotland and globally. Yet under the National Planning Framework, we have been denied the opportunity to object to this major development.” Hunterston coal fired power station was a late addition to the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework (NPF) and was first mentioned four months after the main consultation was closed. As a result the public were unaware that this major development was proposed until it was too late to comment. Once developments are named in the NPF it is almost impossible for people to object to them. People can influence details such as the design and landscaping when the application goes in, but basically the presumption is that the development will go ahead. (2) Clare Symonds of Planning Democracy (3), who are supporting the legal challenge, said: “The NPF consultation makes a mockery of the Government's promises to make planning more inclusive. The community have been totally marginalized and denied their democratic rights. Once again we are seeing people excluded in favour of vested interests and corporate power. We fully support the community in their legal challenge and ask that others do so by helping with the costs”." Tim Cowen, of CONCH and local resident added: “Local people may not have the financial resources of either the Scottish Government or the developers, but we do have justice on our side. By bringing people together our campaign intends to get our voices are heard and ensure that this disastrous proposal will never go ahead.” Background information 1) The challenge relates to the Scottish Government’s compliance with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and with the European Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment (Directive 2001/42). 2) The National Planning Framework (NPF) is an important national policy document published in July this year. Since the Planning etc. Scotland Act 2006, it is now a legal requirement for Local Authorities to implement relevant parts of the NPF when producing Development Plans. The role of the NPF is “to guide the spatial development of Scotland to 2025”. This means it sets out the general location of major development and the transport connections between those locations. The document named 14 national developments one of which was Hunterston. Developments identified in the NPF will still be subject to local inquiries but objectors will not be able to challenge the NEED for them. 3) Planning Democracy is a voluntary organisation set up to campaign for a more inclusive and accountable planning system in Scotland. They formed in May 2009 in response to concerns that the new planning reforms are not delivering better public participation as promised.
For more information, contact the CONCH campaign.

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