Information regarding Tarbolton Moss Landfill Site: EIR release

Information requested

TARBOLTON MOSS LANDFILL SITE RESTORATION WORKS
To help us have some appreciation of the extent of works intended we would seek under EIR / FOI indication of the extent of such negotiated and agreed initial funding as to be made available through Scottish Government for this proposed 'First phase Environmental Programme'.

Knowledge of such value, knowing the tens, if not hundreds, of millions which will eventually be required towards full site remediation, will give some local knowledge of just how far this long awaited start to the works is intended to stretch. The presumption is, regrettably, that despite waiting for over three years for any commencement of remediation such SEPA intent is but symbolic and a PR exercise.

Response

Whilst SEPA has no remit to take on nor manage abandoned sites, they have recently agreed that, with funding provided by the Scottish Government, SEPA will initiate the first phase of environmental works at Tarbolton landfill on a time-limited basis.

In January 2020. SLR Consulting Limited, undertook a site survey to investigate management options for the site. This report was commissioned by SEPA and funded by Scottish Government. The report included some estimated costs for the work. However, as SEPA are currently undergoing procurement of the first phase of work, to implement leachate (wastewater) management, we do not have an accurate cost for the work.

Scottish Government are working closely with SEPA and South Ayrshire Council to carefully consider how we take forward other recommendations for the medium to long-term restoration of the site. We are continuing to work with our public partners to consider further recommendations from a site investigation for longer-term restoration of the site.

In addition, an exception under regulation 10(5)(e) of the EIRs (substantial prejudice to confidentiality of commercial information) applies to some of the information you have requested. This exception applies because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the confidentiality of commercial information provided by SLR Consulting Limited, and thus cause substantial harm to their commercial interests. Disclosing this information would be likely to give SLR Consulting Limited's competitors an advantage in future similar tendering exercises, which would substantially prejudice SLR Consulting Limited’s ability to submit competitive tenders and so could significantly harm their commercial business.

About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.