A multi-million-pound waste facility in the north east has taken another step forward.
The proposed £150million incinerator would be built in Aberdeen, but would also serve households in Aberdeenshire and Moray.
The scheme has been designated for a derelict industrial site at East Tullos. The plant would be able to take in 150,000 tonnes of waste a year – both household and commercial – which would be collected by Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray councils.
As of 2021, Scottish councils will be banned from putting any biodegradable waste into landfill.
It is expected the incinerator would be operational by then, if it gains planning approval, and would produce low-cost energy – about 10mw of electricity and/or 20mw of heat for local users.
A public consultation, including a series of drop-in events, was previously held to examine the plans.
Opponents of the development have raised concerns it could cause pollution and cause traffic problems on nearby Wellington Road.
Aberdeen City Council, who is leading the scheme, has now submitted a formal planning application for the development, which would generate heat and energy from non-recyclables.
A spokeswoman for the authority said: “The energy from waste facility will provide a long-term solution, reducing the cost of sending waste to landfill and meeting national legislative obligations.
“The facility will also benefit the local community by producing low-cost energy to heat homes and businesses, and help to alleviate fuel poverty.”
The public have been offered a fresh opportunity to have their say on the plans when another consultation is launched in the coming weeks.