East Lothian Courier | News | ‘Morality’ of Viridor funding bid questioned

Friday, 16th May, 2008

Published: Thursday, 17th April, 2008 08:05

‘Morality’ of Viridor funding bid questioned

A COMMUNITY councillor has voiced concerns over an application to a waste management company for funds to refurbish a local play park.

Bryan Green questioned the “morality” of Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council being involved in a request to Viridor for £30,000 towards improving the play park next to the Port Seton Centre.

At the group’s meeting, he said: “I don’t think this is acceptable and I don’t like it. Viridor wants to build a waste management plant near Dunbar. It doesn’t seem to me to be morally correct.

“It seems to me that this is an example of big business trying to get communities to go along with their ideas.”

As part of the application to Viridor, Port Seton community development officer, Sandra King, requires a letter from the community council confirming that they will provide £1,500 of the £3,000 that is required to be returned to Viridor as a condition of the funding bid.

The other £1,500 will be provided by the Port Seton Community Centre Advisory Committee.

Amongst the proposals for the play park are to resurface the whole area and replace the boat climbing frame, totem pole swing and pod swing in an overhaul that is expected to cost around £70,000 in total.

East Lothian Council will provide £40,000 of the funding.

The community council agreed to a letter to Viridor confirming that they would provide the £1,500, but would expect more consultation between themselves and Ms King for any future applications.

Viridor has faced fierce community resistance since announcing proposals for a £140million waste incinerator at Oxwellmains, by Dunbar.

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