Meeting Minutes - Saturday 5th February 2005

Present:
Dave Rees (Regional Manager Scotland - WRG)
Clive Young (Site Manager - WRG)
Richard Witney (Roslin)
Catherine Longville-Taylor (Roslin)
Rob Maxtone-Graham (Auchendinny)
Frances Goodfellow (Roslin)
Bryden Ritchie (Roslin Heritage Society)
Lynn Macfadyen (Bilston)
David Campbell (SEPA)
Mike Smith (SEPA)

Action

1 Introductions

Dave Rees provided some history about the site's management.

SEPA and WRG welcomed the setting up liaison group

2 Environmental legislation
SEPA provided a brief summary of the legislation which applies to the site. The two important pieces of legislation are: the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 and Environmental Protection Act 1990. Other legislation includes The Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003. The Oatslie site Waste Management Licence is a public record and can be inspected at SEPA's Riccarton Office. This licence states the type and quantity of waste which WRG can received at the site. The site is licenced to receive domestic, industrial and non hazardous waste. The site is not licenced to receive special (hazardous) waste. This has been the case since July 2004.

WRG are required to monitor for landfill gas and there are boreholes around the perimeter of the site. Litter and odours must be controlled and must not escape beyond the site boundary. SEPA undertake 2 scheduled visits of the site per month and also visit if their has been a complaint.

The new Pollution Prevention Control Regulations require WRG to apply for a permit to operate and this will have slightly tighter controls such as reducing noise impact etc.

3 Environmental issues
WRG explained how a landfill system works ie liner, landfill gas control and flaring/power generation, leachate control.

The main issues discussed were odour within Roslin, litter escaping from the site and flies.

Odours
Odours have been a problem and seemed to have increased over the last six months. Capping has taken place for some of the older parts of the site and this should reduce the odour problem. WRG's operation of dealing with waste in high winds is under scrutiny by SEPA and they are working on how this can be improved to reduce odour and litter problems. There can be a problem in some of the colder months when there is temperature inversion which prevents any odours from dispersing and keeps them at a low level. On still nights the odours can migrate towards Roslin.

Litter
WRG has £20,000 to invest in litter and security fencing for the site which should improve the problem of litter escaping from the north east side of the side and blowing towards Roslin. WRG

Flies
Continue to be a problem in the summer months. WRG has brought in consultant Entomologists from ADAS to research the issue and provide a solution. They were used last year and recommended increasing the level of cover of waste and spraying from April once a week. ADAS are to be brought back to the site by end of March to assess the situation again. Biodegradable pesticides (non organophosphate) are sprayed throughout the summer months. WRG

Vermin
There are bate boxes around the site to catch rats etc. WRG contract a falconer for 5.5 days/wk to scare seagulls from the site. They also have flare guns and rockets. It was discussed by SEPA that cover is critical to reducing the bird problem.

Transport
The Roslin Heritage Society raised the issue of waste trucks driving through Roslin Glen and this was not to be encouraged as the road and environment are being damaged. WRG stated that all drivers are provided with access instructions which state turn left from the site and use the A701. Clive Young is to raise the issue with Midlothian Council to ensure their trucks are following these rules. WRG

Flytipping
This is an issue around the site. SEPA stated that both they and Midlothian Council have responsibility. However, in their memorandum of understanding, the council deals with ordinary waste items and SEPA deals with hazardous waste. The council will collect flytipped items for free.

4 Site tour
WRG provided the group with a short tour of the site to inspect the operations. It was discussed that further tours would be useful and that an open day could be arranged for the local community.

5 Improvements
WRG stated that there are ongoing improvements to the site including capping the old cell with HDPE plastic and connecting cell to landfill gas flare. Litter and security netting will be upgraded. Landfil Gas generation plant has received planning permission in January and is due on site later the year. This will burn the gas to generate electricity emitting carbon dioxide. Landfill gas (mainly methane) is 21 more harmful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and is a requirement of the landfill directive.

WRG stated that they are continually trying to improve the site but they can't say there will never be a problem. The best course of action to raise a complaint is to contact SEPA on 449 7296 and log the issue with Mike Smith or Jack Cupido but also phone Clive Young - WRG at Oatslie 440 4057 as they want to be informed and will try and address the issue immediately.

6 Communication with community
This was not discussed in much detail because of lack of time and will be picked up at the next meeting. The local library in Roslin will receive a copy of the minutes and a folder will be set up to store other useful information. Richard is to work with John to get information set up on a website which is a subsection of the community website. RW/JS

Minutes were discussed as an important output of each meeting. Each group member should take their turn in producing the minutes. OLLG

7 AOB
Community benefit from the site was discussed. The landfill tax credit scheme is a fund available to areas affected by landfill sites. Their could potentially be some grant funding available for community projects. Richard to look into this. RW

The Oatslie Landfill Liaison Group will decide about becoming a formal group with a constitution. This may help attract funding. OLLG

The issue of community benefit from the landfill gas generation plant was discussed briefly. In the same ways as communities benefit from windfarms this could also apply to landfill gas. WRG propose to build a 1.5 - 2MW plant. WRG stated that at the next meeting it may be useful having a power generation rep to explain the project. WRG

Monitoring of site issues was also discussed. SEPA keep a log of all complaints and this will be a useful starting point for assessing improvements. The group will consider undertaking its own monitoring. No. of complaints should be addressed at each meeting. OLLG

8 Group email addresses:
Omitted - please contact R&B CC for details

9 Date of next meeting - Tuesday 15th March 7pm (Venue tba)