Campaigners against a waste transfer station and proposed incinerator in Invergordon protested outside Highland Council headquarters yesterday.
Residents fear the town could be turned into a “dumping ground” if the developments are given the go-ahead by planners.
Combined Power and Heat (Highlands) has applied for planning permission to build a facility at Cromarty Firth Industrial Park, near Invergordon, to incinerate up to 200 tons a day of household and non-hazardous industrial waste and use the heat for to create power.
And earlier this week the area’s planning committee voted to turn down the application for the waste transfer station. However an amendment has been brought forward by a group of councillors wanting the decision reconsidered at the next full council planning committee.
Yesterday a dozen Invergordon residents, some carrying signs, gathered outside the headquarters on Glenurquhart Road to object against the plans.
Catherine Richmond, 51, chairwoman of Invergordon Community Council who led the protest, said she felt “enough was enough”.
She said: “The people of Invergordon have had enough of being a dumping ground.
“We are here to get the message over to Highland councillors that we don’t want any more waste dumped in Invergordon.
“We have quite a large cruise liner business and we have tourism awards for that. We are trying to rebrand the image of Invergordon.
“We have so long being the dumping place and we aren’t prepared to put up with in any longer.”
Mrs Richmond, of Kyalami, Easter Kincraig, Invergordon, believes that by having the plans for the waste transfer system reconsidered the community council will be given the chance to air their objections at a planning hearing.
She added: “We want as many people as possible to be aware of the plans. “There seems to be a lot of people in Invergordon who aren’t aware of what it going on.”
A public meeting to discuss both applications is being held at Invergordon Arts Centre on June 3 at 8pm.