Work to transfer lorryloads of waste from Faslane to a hillside on the other side of the Gareloch has been dramatically halted.
Following investigations by this website, it emerged this week that there are problems with the licence of the Rosneath Peninsula site being used by the Ministry of Defence.
For several months lorries have been moving waste material – said to be soil and stones from building work at HM Naval Base Clyde – to a site on Peaton Hill.
The MoD says that 15,500 cubic metres of waste – the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools – has already been moved.
The moorland site has seen significant excavation work, while the public are deterred from access by a sign warning of ‘bull beef’, although there is no sign of cattle.
It is just across the road from the Peaton Hill Community Nature Reserve, which was created in 2004 during a Ministry of Defence biodiversity event and awarded the 2009 Sanctuary Silver Otter award for environmental projects.
It is five miles from Faslane by road via the shortest route, through Garelochhead and along the B833, although most of the waste has been transported via the MoD-owned Coulport access road.
An MoD spokesperson said this week: “Prior to beginning to deposit soil and stones at the Peaton Hill site, checks revealed it was licensed as an exempt site under the Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011.
“However in the last few days we have discovered issues with the licence and have halted disposals at the site while we work with SEPA and our contractor, Kier Graham Defence, to investigate.”
Earlier this year the MoD said construction waste such as top soil and rock from Faslane was being transported to the site as part of the building of the new submarine rescue and survival centre.
In June the MoD said it was ‘working closely with contractors to ensure that they follow the correct procedures for disposal’.
This week however SEPA confirmed that officers were investigating the matter.
Unit manager David Sandford said: “Every day, SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment.
“SEPA is aware of the waste soil and other material which is being deposited on Peaton Hill.
“Officers are currently in discussion with the landowner’s consultant to investigate the source of these deposits and ensure that the correct authorisations are in place for protection of the local environment.”
Well done! I have been wondering what they are up to and they do need watching!
This is a bit of an old story. When they started dumping it was said that it would all be non-hazardous and that there was nothing to worry about but MOD has form when it comes to dumping, remember the exploding shaft at Dounreay, the radium dials in Fife and some of the nasty stuff in Rosyth.Once started, and if the complaints die away, who knows what they will find to be “Non Hazardous” and just the ticket for this convenient dump.