Al Fayed to back new Ross incinerator fight

EASTER Ross landowner Mohamed Al Fayed has commended Highland Councillors on their decision to mount a fresh legal challenge againt the Invergordon incinerator - and says he will support them.

The council decided on Thursday to lodge an appeal against Scottish government planning Reporter Richard Dent’s approval of the highly controversial waste to energy plant.

It followed a lengthy legal wrangle and a public local inquiry held in Invergordon in the summer.

Mr Al Fayed, who owns the Balnagown Estate near Invergordon, is strongly against the development. He funded the last legal challenge against the application by Combined Power and Heat (Highlands) Ltd.

This weekend, Mr Al Fayed issued a statement in which he said: "I commend the Highland Council in the strongest terms. It has demonstrated that it is on the side of local people whose lives would be adversely affected if this rubbish-burning plant were ever to be erected in

their midst. Unlike Mr Dent, who recognised the genuine concern of local people in his report, yet granted the appeal.

"I am delighted but not surprised that the Highland Council has shown leadership in mounting this appeal and I shall do everything in my powers to support them.

"Like Robert the Bruce, we must try, try and try again. We shall succeed. This monstrosity will never arise beside our beautiful firth."