CONTROVERSIAL proposals for a renewable energy plant will be considered by councillors on Tuesday.

Almost 600 members of the public have submitted their views to East Lothian Council regarding J Haig Hamilton and Sons’ plans for an anaerobic digester on land at Standalane, near Ballencrieff More than half of the letters – 342 – to the local authority are in opposition to the proposals, which will be considered in Haddington’s Corn Exchange on Tuesday morning.

Reasons for objection include the increased traffic from HGVs and tractor trailers on “an already busy road” leading to congestion and a major impact on the road network, as well as the development not being of “an appropriate scale or character for a countryside location” and resulting in air, noise, odour and light pollution.

A spokesperson for No Gas Works East Lothian said: “Not one of the 1,000-plus local people we have directly engaged with are against renewable energy, but no evidence has been offered by the applicants as to the levels of carbon emissions that will be generated by transporting vast quantities of feedstock to and by-products from the site by tractor and HGV.

“There is also widespread support across the community for all local farmers, but over 150 farmers in the county have declined the opportunity presented by the proposed AD plant, compared to just 30 growers who have.

“The ‘game changer,’ the applicant claims this to be in reality offers marginal gains or losses depending on highly-cyclical grain prices.”

Gullane Area Community Council has also objected to the scheme, with concerns including the potential traffic implications and its impact on the environment and biodiversity.

However, there have also been 242 letters of support submitted. Reasons for support include that the proposed development would support the local farming community and provide “a much-needed alternative” extra market for farming produce.

Haig Hamilton, who is behind the plans, told the Courier the scheme would help 30 farmers diversify their business.

He said: “Our proposals take crops from local farms and create gas that can be pumped straight into the gas network through a connection at Standalane, which is why the facility must be there. What is significant is that the proposals provide good long-term contracts for farms and farming suppliers and helps support those 30 businesses, and nearly/more than 100 local jobs. There are no major statutory objections to the proposals.

“Traffic issues have been much discussed, but as the traffic generated is within the day-to-day variation of the local roads, have not been a concern for the council roads officers.”