A BID to raise the level of noise allowed while workers cap the Valleyfield ash lagoons has been launched by Scottish Power.

Plans were approved in October 2020 on the condition that the volume from operations on site did not exceed existing background levels by any more than 50 decibels.

However, Scottish Power say noise monitoring carried out over a six-week period at Low Valleyfield, Torryburn and Culross from September to November revealed that the limit was exceeded frequently even in the absence of site works – making compliance with the condition nigh-on impossible.

The company has now applied to Fife Council asking for it to be changed to a higher threshold so its appointed contractor, I&H Brown, can work without fear of repercussions.

Grant Young, from Young Planning and Energy Consenting, agents for Scottish Power, stressed that no public concerns nor complaints had been raised to the contractor, or Scottish Power, regarding noise levels at the site to date.

“To inform proposed amendments to the condition, further noise monitoring was undertaken between November 22 and 26 when the site was fully operational and receiving up to 80 HGV material deliveries per day,” he explained. 

“This was determined as representing likely ‘worst case’ noise levels from works at the site boundary, primarily due to the number of HGV movements. 

“Noise data gathered during this period confirmed that the 50dB limit stated in the condition was breached regularly, as expected, with recorded noise levels typically within the 50 and 60dB range. 

“This data suggests that an upper maximum limit of 70dB would more appropriately reflect the worst case baseline noise environment at the site and potential for noise generated by site works.”

The lagoons, south of Low Valleyfield, were constructed on reclaimed land from the Forth estuary in the 1960s, later extended in the 1970s, and cover an area of more than 176 hectares.

The ash is a by-product of the coal burned at Longannet Power Station and, when it was operational, the ash was mixed with water, transported and deposited in the lagoons.

Longannet closed in March 2016 and Scottish Power has since held a number of public consultation events about their proposed engineering works and restoration plans.

The lagoons are being capped to prevent incidents like the ash clouds which caused havoc over the West Fife villages in the summer of 2017.

Homes, businesses and cars in places like Newmills, Torryburn and Valleyfield were covered in dust and pupils at Torryburn Primary School were kept in at break time as parents raised concerns over their children’s safety.