by Councillor Eva Murray

In February 2016, Glasgow City Council’s planning committee rejected WH Malcolm’s request for planning permission to create a gasification plant in the South Street area of the Garscadden/Scotstounhill ward.

The motion to reject was proposed by my predecessor, Bailie Liz Cameron, and took into consideration the concerns and objection for this facility from community councils, school councils, residents associations and local environmental organisations as well as constituents. The proposal received more than 1,000 objections.

It was a no brainer. Our community did not want this in their area and Bailie Cameron’s motion received cross-party support, the plans now officially rejected by Glasgow City Council. Why, almost two years on, are the plans for this gasification facility still a key discussion point at community councils across my ward as well as on the doorstep?

In October 2016, WH Malcolm appealed the council’s rejection and this was called in by Scottish ministers. It would now be up to the Scottish Government to decide the future of this facility.

It’s been almost two years while the Scottish Government’s target in making a decision on these appeals is three months.

What is taking so long? Our community rejected this proposal overwhelmingly, the local authority rejected this proposal overwhelmingly - what is there further to consider?

I was grateful to Labour MSP Pauline McNeill for asking this question in the Scottish Parliament to the minister, Kevin Stewart MSP.

And here’s my message to the minister: stop leaving my constituents on the lurch, hoping they may forget it’s been 21 months and you still haven’t made a decision. They will continue campaigning, as will I alongside them, until you begin giving proper answers on why there has been a delay and when exactly this decision will be made.