PLANS for a state-of-the-art facility to convert plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel for vehicles have been submitted to council bosses.

The £20million development at Rothesay Dock would be the first in Scotland and the second in the UK to process non-recyclable plastics that currently go to landfills, incinerators or overseas.

There was previous permission given to the 5.8-acre site in 2012 but for a different type of recycling facility. There were 14 objections submitted at the time from residents concerned about noise and traffic from Dock Street.

There are currently no public documents available to view about the proposals.

Peel NRE, part of Peel L&P, previously told the Post they would put proposals to the public for consultation on the facility, which uses technology by Powerhouse Energy Group.

They said they sent details of the plans to all councillors in the Clydebank Waterfront ward and those in neighbouring Glasgow. They also sent it to Clydebank East Community Council, Clydebank FC, Yoker Athletic FC and Glasgow Eco Trust.

Peel NRE said meetings with “local community representatives will take place if requested”.

Richard Barker, development director at Peel NRE, said: “We’re a long way from removing all plastic from society and, while the priority should be on reducing, reusing and recycling what we can, there will still be some end of life plastics that need managing.

“The Powerhouse technology not only enables us to deal with this material on our shores, it also produces hydrogen which can be used as a clean vehicle fuel.

“As we head towards COP26 in Glasgow, this is a great example of how the UK is innovating in net zero and delivering pioneering technologies that can be used the world over.”

Peel NRE said they plan to develop 11 sites across the UK in the coming years to convert plastic to hydrogen, and with an option for a total of 70 facilities.

The planning application will be on the council’s website under DC21/217/FUL. Any residents or groups seeking information or a meeting can contact donald.anderson@playfairscotland.co.uk.