Opponents of plans to expand a waste water works in a Highland village will stage a protest at the local authority’s headquarters today.
The campaign group Against Ardersier Waste Treatment Plant intend to stage the demonstration outside Highland Council’s Glenurquhart Road offices this afternoon.
And the local residents revealed that the protest would be the “first of many”, as they continue the battle to block the £11million scheme.
The group aims to pile the pressure on the local authority to revoke planning permission for the Scottish Water project for a new sewer, extended outflow into the Moray Firth and expanded treatment plant in the village.
Scottish Water won permission in 2011 for the development, but a new campaign was launched earlier this year by residents who claimed there was not sufficient consultation at the time.
Close to 2,000 people have signed an online petition against the project, and the campaign has been backed by Holywood star Dame Helen Mirren, who was married in the village.
Scottish Water, which says the scheme is essential to support additional development in the east of Inverness and would ensure the works are more environmentally friendly, held a series of “information events” in the village last month to try to reassure residents.
But many remain concerned about the impact of the works on local roads and quality of life.
Jenny Maylin, a local resident and campaigner, said last night that the group would not give up their battle, with a series of events planned, starting with today’s protest.
“We’re going to do it down at Glenurquhart Road, just to keep the campaign going and try to get the Highland Council to change their mind,” she said.
“We plan to do it in various other locations. This is the first of many.
“It’s open to anyone, everyone is welcome to come. We’ve got people from all over supporting us.”
She added: “The information events have created even more distrust between Scottish Water and residents.
“It was a complete and utter waste of time. They have not answered any of our questions successfully.”
Scottish Water has said that the scheme involves “significant investment” which will “protect the environment of the Moray Firth while supporting the economy of the A96 corridor, helping to enable development at Tornagrain”.
