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Following the court case at the Court of Session, Monklands Residents Against Pyrolysis Plant have given us the following update.
The MRAPP team would like to extend their thanks to all who attended the Court of Session on Thursday and Friday of last week. Maggie Proctor said "It was very important to show our campaign is not waning and the turnout both days proved that we are stronger than ever in our resolve to stop the Simon Howie incinerator. Our biggest enemy (apart from Howie) is apathy but we are glad to say we have fantastic ongoing support from Monklands and we will continue fighting, however long it takes."
On Thursday a group of MRAPP campaigners, Cllr Jim Brooks and Brian Cooney from Elaine Smith's office attended the Court of Session in Edinburgh to hear the case of NLC vs Shore Energy. Douglas Armstrong QC presented a strong case challenging the decision notice of the Scottish Minister's appointed Reporters.
Supporters from Shawhead, Carnbroe, Old Monkland, Cairnhill and Shawhead were in Court to hear NLC state the decision by the Reporters was flawed, in particular the "urgent need" they referred to in their decision notice and their interpretation of the proximity principle. Representing Shore Energy was Mr Thompson - who presented his case in the last 15 minutes of the day.
Mr Armstrong's confident delivery of the facts impressed all and made it clear that NLC have a strong case and will win.
On the Friday hearing 27 campaigners were present at Court, including Cllr John Higgins. This day saw the first victory for MRAPP - following a 'frank exchange of views' between Alan Gibson, Maggie Proctor and the Clerk of Court regarding the lack of seating in Court 7 the case was moved to Court 15 to allow everyone who made the effort to travel to Edinburgh to get a seat.
Next victory (for MRAPP AND common sense) - the Clerk informed MRAPP and the protestors that children were not allowed in Court (which was incorrect). Again, a further frank exchange of views resulted in the Judge, Lord Stewart, allowing the young girls to stay. Well done to MRAPP protester Sharon for pointing out the girls have been part of the campaign from the very start and should not be excluded.
Mr Thompson (Shore) continued presenting his case, refuting everything NLC stated yesterday - one of his main points was that NLC should not be thinking about waste as a local issue but should consider the total waste arisings from the whole of Scotland. Another point was that facilities already given planning permission should not be considered as none of them were built yet, in particular Greengairs which was approved in 2009.
Shortly after this, the judge also made reference to the EU Directive on Human Rights - again he got a very vocal reaction from MRAPP and their supporters. At this point, Mr Garvie (Simon Howie's Project Director) had his head in his hands.
The outcome of the court case won't be known for several weeks - in the meantime MRAPP and their supporters will continue to actively campaign against Shore Energy. Maggie concluded by saying "MRAPP have amazing support throughout Monklands - no one, apart from Simon Howie, wants this incinerator in our Community. Just a wee reminder that we have been holding Simon Howie off since May 2009 and with your support will keep going."
Visit MRAPP's website at http://www.mrapp.org.uk/.
