Oatslie Landfill Liaison Group

Meeting Minutes - Tuesday 15th March 2005

Present:
Dave Rees (Regional Manager Scotland - WRG)
Chris Ratcliffe (Regional Estates Manager - WRG)
Clive Young (Site Manager - WRG)
Alan Alexander (Waste to Energy Engineer -WRG)
Mike Lovell (Consultant Entomologist - ADAS)
Richard Witney (Roslin)
Catherine Longville-Taylor (Roslin)
Rob Maxtone-Graham (Auchendinny)
Bryden Ritchie (Roslin Heritage Society)
John Sharp (Roslin)
Malcolm Tait (Roslin)
David Campbell (SEPA)
Mike Smith (SEPA)
Caroline Sanderson (Project Manager - WREN)

Apologies
Frances Goodfellow (Roslin), Lynn Macfadyen (Bilston)

Action

1 Introductions

2 Environmental Issues
The group had only one issue to raise - visual.

Visual
The slope of landfill site which can be seen from Penicuik Road looks like it has a lot of exposed waste. WRG stated that they were not aware of any exposed waste but would check. They thought that this would be wind blown litter. This slope is not finished yet but should be by May 05. SEPA mentioned that in future meetings should include a site visit so that these issues can be identified close up. This was agreed by the group and the longer nights will help.

Odours
The group has not been aware of odours in Roslin but the last few weeks the wind has been northerly and easterly.

3 Complaints
SEPA stated there had been no complaints reported since the last meeting.

4 Environmental Improvements
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. There is now a 12 ft fence within the site to catch wind blown litter and a higher external perimeter fence is planned.
Odour
Capping of phase 2 is now completed and this is connected to the gas extraction system. This should greatly reduce odour problems.
Capping of phase 3 will start if the next few months.
WRG has started constructing a new cell and it will be 6-8 weeks before working in the cell. This will take the waste operation out of sight to a low level. Currently operations are at their highest level.
The Green Guardian system is now going to have limited use. This system is used in high winds and the waste is stock piled generating odours while exposed. With the new high external fences this will not have to be used.

Flies
Fly monitoring will be continuing this year and WRG expressed an interest in monitoring around Roslin if the problem as bad as last year.

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.
SEPA has a flytipping campaign starting in August and SEPA stated that this area is not as bad as some areas of Scotland. A campaign could be started with Keep Scotland Tidy by installing a dummy camera and signpost. SEPA has a signpost under development and WRG expressed an interest in looking at a deterrent for flytipping around the site.
A flytipping is to be discussed at the next meeting and SEPA is to invite the Midlothian Council Environmental Health Officer.

SEPA stated they have seen a marked improvement in the site

5 Communication with community
The group stated that the minutes are now on the new Community Council website www.roslinandbilston.co.uk. Issue can be raised via the website. A poster is to be put on the Roslin library window with contact details for the site and SEPA and a file to be available inside.

WRG mentioned they had tried again to get a Community Council rep to attend the meeting which is important as they have the elected mandate of the community. Bryden Ritchie on behalf of the group and Roslin Heritage Society is to write to the CC and ask again.

6 AOB
WRG invited various other representative to the meeting which was appreciated.

Landfill Tax Credits
Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN) - Caroline Sanderson Project Manager
Caroline explained the scheme and provided information which is available in the library or from their website www.wren.org.uk.
This is a funding programme which has been created from the landfill tax which businesses pay. Currently this is £15/tonne and this is to rise to £18/tonne by April. It can fund projects within 10 miles of the landfill site. Typical projects include village halls, woodlands, projects with public access, buildings of local interest. A group which applies for funding has to be constituted. WREN is interested in speaking with the community council and John Sharp is to raise this issue at the next CC meeting. Max funding for a project is £25k.

Waste to Energy Power Plant
Alan Alexander - WRG Energy Engineer
Alan explained that planning has been approved for the waste to energy plant. This comprises 2 x 1.15MW caterpillar engines which burn the landfill gas and generates electricity. Work starts in mid March with the turbines and flare delivered in July and commissioning in Sept when grid connected. 1MW of power will be exported per turbine. The present engines will have a 10 year life span and the plant can be scaled down as the landfill gas reduces over time which will be approx 15 years.
It was discussed looking for a local supply for the energy generation as the 11kV grid connection could be some distance away. However, not enough energy would be generated for the development discussed.

Restoration of the site
Chris Ratcliffe - WRG Regional Estates Mgr (Northern Division)
Restoration plans were shown to the group which have been approved by planning. However, WRG discussed a possible change to this restoration plan. This is because potentially 25% more waste may need to be added to the site to ensure the correct restoration level is met. WRG is to invite comments from the group when more information is known about the final restoration plan. Planning permission is required for any new restoration plan. At present, WRG has planning permission to operate the site until 2010 and is not planning to work beyond this date.

Flies
Mike Lovell - ADAS Entomologist Consultant
Chris explained the monitoring which has been undertaken at the site since 2002. Landfill is a big source of food which attracts flies (the majority of which are the common house fly). However, without marking the fly it is impossible to say whether the landfill site is the source of the problem but it is likely. Monitoring takes place between May and September and traps are set around the site. Last year saw a large amount of flies around May which coincided with a large increase in biodegradable municipal waste.
Remedial action for reducing flies is to compact the refuse and ensure 100% cover so flies can't get access to decaying material.
WRG may be interested in extending the fly sampling around Roslin depending if another problem arises this year.
SEPA stated they are pleased with the level of cover.
Clive Young WRG site manager is to report back to group at next meeting with fly monitoring data.

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

9 Date of next meeting
Tuesday 21st June 7pm (Oatslie Site Office)