Councillor does have axe to grind over landfill site

Oct 16 2008 West Lothian Courier

I WRITE in response to the letter published last week from Mr Tim Walsh the Managing Director of Levenseat Landfill Ltd.

Mr Walsh states that I have "an axe to grind regarding Levenseat landfill and their waste management site”.

Well Mr Walsh you are spot on. I do have an axe to grind.

I have an axe to grind about the 126 complaints received by SEPA between 2005-07.

I have an axe to grind about the 110 breaches of conditions in the same period.

I have an axe to grind about the offensive odour that your company has failed to control.

I have an axe to grind about the litter that is strewn all over the countryside when it escapes from your site (members of the public have provided me with photographs as evidence).

I have an axe to grind about what has been left behind at the nearby abandoned Muldron site.

And, I have an axe to grind about your company's desire to maximise its profits by taking potentially dangerous asbestos into the Levenseat facility.

I have to ask, if Levenseat landfill cannot dispose of grass cuttings and beans tins without causing pollution and distress to local people how can they possibly be trusted with something as potentially dangerous as asbestos?

Contrary to Mr Walsh's statement, I have visited the site on numerous occasions over the last five years both officially, in the company of Levenseat staff and planning officials, and unofficially as a walker passing by the site.

The last occasion was February 26 this year accompanied by the council's chief planner and Councillor Greg McCarra.

On each occasion I have been shocked by the appalling house-keeping practices I have witnessed – clinical waste bags lying out in the open being ripped apart by seagulls, scrap plant and machinery all over the place, leachate leaking out of composted lagoons and torn litter-control nets resulting in debris flying all over the countryside.

I have no desire whatsoever to put anyone out of a job but I do want to see a properly run, safe and clean environment for my community and my family to grow up in and a safe workplace for all employees wherever they work.

Neil Findlay

Councillor Fauldhouse and the Breich valley Ward