A senior Aberdeen councillor has come under fire for “disparaging” comments about objectors to the city’s controversial £150million incinerator project.
Planning convener Ramsay Milne made the remarks while writing to fellow Labour councillor Jean Morrison about a submission from NHS Grampian on the health effects of the south of the city scheme.
The letter from the health board’s chief executive Malcolm Wright to the council’s chief executive Angela Scott said that with current technology it was “unlikely that significant exposures to potentially toxic emissions will occur” but added more information would be required to come to a definitive view.
In leaked correspondence seen by the Press and Journal, Mr Milne wrote to Ms Morrison that the response was: “As good as you are likely to get.”
He added that it “will give a degree of comfort to the plumistas who clutch at anything but assuming we continue to get it right throughout the processes we should get a tick from NHSG & SEPA.”
Councillor Graham Dickson, who represents the Torry Ferryhill ward, branded Mr Milne “disrespectful of residents”.
He said: “I find it utterly shocking this dismissal of concerns from local residents about what is clearly a huge project set for their community.
“For the convener of planning to be so disrespectful of residents who have done nothing but engage in the democratic planning process is utterly abysmal.
“It’s vital that we have people prepared to take part in the process and these comments seem to indicate that (the administration) would rather people didn’t.”
David Fryer, the secretary of Torry Community Council, said people had “real concerns” which were not being addressed.
He said: “The communities have very real concerns about the plumes.
“It has been shown that there are dangerous gases within them.
“Ramsay Milne obviously does not like this so is choosing to discredit us.
“What does it say about the council that they speak about us behind our back like this?
“We would welcome them along to Torry Community Council on Thursday this week and if they have something to say they will be given a platform.”
Mr Milne could not be reached for comment.
Councillor Willie Young said the decision to go ahead with an Energy from Waste facility had already been made.
He said: “The council has already made a decision, that is what the objectors can’t seem to understand.
“I will defend Ramsay Milne, he is one of the most diligent councillors who takes his responsibilities seriously.
“Those against the Energy from Waste facility have to realise that the decision has been made and the council will be moving forward with it.”