Campaigners say a planned waste incinerator near Kinross-shire would cause “environmental mayhem”.
A planning application to create a waste energy plant and incinerator at Westfield in Kinglassie has been submitted to Fife Council.
And residents in Kinross-shire have raised concerns on the adverse impact this would have on their area.
The plan is to transform the Westfield opencast mine, a 423-hectare site which has lain empty since 1998, to create a waste-burning facility and gas-fuelled power plant.
The main access to the site would be along the B9097, which runs past the RSPB Loch Leven site and directly alongside the heritage trail.
At a meeting in Kinross hosted by the Scottish Green Party residents raised concerns about the noise and pollution associated with the plans, which could see up to 500 lorries a day passing through Kinross-shire to the site.
Louise Batchelor, who lives in the town, said: “The application may be over the border in Fife but the impact of HGVs travelling to the site carrying waste will be felt on this side in Kinross-shire.”
Elsepth Maclachlan, spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Greens, said: “I really don’t understand how anyone can think that this is acceptable.
“We should be reducing the amount of waste we are creating in Scotland, not building new facilities to burn it.
“But the idea of 500 HGVs running close to a bird sanctuary and along the Loch Leven heritage trail is just plain silly.
“I hope that the Fife councillors react the same way as the Perth and Kinross councillors did when an incinerator was planned for Perth city.
“I sincerely hope that the councillors who vote on this matter think of the environment and the impact on future generations.”
Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: “The masterplan approved by Fife Council estimated as many as 500 lorries a day could travel along this road, having a huge impact on air pollution, noise and wildlife in this precious local nature reserve.”
RSPB Scotland, who run the Loch Leven nature reserve, have objected to the plans.
A spokesperson said: “Along with other neighbouring businesses and families we continue to have significant concerns regarding the safety risks to visitors arising from the predicted enormous increase in HGV movements on the B9097 that will be generated by the proposed development at Westfield.
“RSBP Scotland has objected to planning permission in principle for the overall site.”
Pam Ewen, senior planning manager at Fife Council, said: “This current application follows the approval in principle for restoration and development of former opencast site for a range of uses.
“Anyone who wishes to make a representation in respect of discharging certain planning conditions has until September 27.”
