MSPS CALL ON ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL TO POSTPONE PLANNING MEETING FOR NUCLEAR HUB AT FASLANE

FURTHER NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT AT FASLANE “UNACCEPTABLE”

 Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell and West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan have jointly called on Argyll and Bute Council to postpone a meeting of the Council’s Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee.

The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday 21^st January, is due to discuss a planning application to erect a Nuclear Support Hub (NSH) at Faslane Naval Base on the Clyde. Letters notifying residents who made representations to the Council about the planning application were sent out on Wednesday 14^th January.

 

 

Commenting on the hearing date for the planning application, Michael Russell said:

“I am dismayed to hear from constituents who have received letters from Argyll and Bute Council dated 14^th January. Given that many of these letters did not arrive before the weekend, most people would have had 2 days’ notice of the meeting of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee of Argyll and Bute Council, which is due to discuss erection of a NSH at Faslane.

“As the date on the letter identifies, Argyll and Bute Council have failed to give timely notification to residents who have made representations on this planning matter. One week is simply not enough time for substantial representations to be made. I have also heard from a constituent who objected to the planning application who did not receive a letter at all.

“Given that this development could have significant implications for residents in Argyll and Bute, it is important that the planning application receives detailed scrutiny from both the Council and local residents.

“I call on Argyll and Bute Council to postpone the meeting to allow objectors to be present, given the strong feelings in my constituency that further nuclear development at Faslane is unacceptable.”

Stuart McMillan MSP, whose region includes Faslane Naval Base, added:

"I have been contacted by constituents who are angry and frustrated at this lack of transparency by Argyll and Bute Council.

"I urge the local authority to postpone the meeting to allow the time for those concerned to play their part in the decision making process."