Highland Councillors have voted to reject plans for a controversial £43million incinerator in Invergordon.
The 150 objectors who turned out to the meeting in the town today say they are overjoyed by the decision.
Highland Council's area planning committee met at Invergordon Social Club this afternoon to make a ruling on the controversial proposals.
Developers Combined Power and Heat Highland Ltd (CPH) spoke with objectors beforehand but although the conversation was cordial, it was not enough to persuade campaigners who harbour strong fears over health and the environment.
Catherine Richmond of No to Invergordon Waste said: "We're being classed as the dumping ground of Invergordon, we don't want to be that any longer.
“One of our biggest concerns is the health impact, the environmental impacts and also we just feel this isn't the way we want to deal with our waste - its not the solution for waste and we don't want that in Invergordon."
The developers say the £43million plant would create more than 20 job.
They also claim burning municipal waste which cannot be recycled is a greener alternative to dumping rubbish in landfill sites and the energy generated could power 10,000 homes.
CPH gave extensive evidence throughout the day-long hearing, which also heard from community councils and local objectors.
Local objector Karen Mackay said: "I really don't think we can say that this is 100% safe - and all the time it’s been in the press that the company are saying that this is 100% safe and we don't have the evidence.
“Okay, for PM10 monitoring, yes SEPA do a fantastic job, but its the lower, ultra-fine particulate that we're worried about."
Eight members of the council voted to refuse the application on a variety of grounds - four members purely on the basis of road safety.
CPH expressed their disappointment at the decision and say they will now consider their next move, including whether or not to appeal.
Last updated: 18 August 2009, 18:29
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