PLANS to make Clydebank the site of a new plastic-to-hydrogen plant have been withdrawn by developers.

The proposed £20 million facility - that would have burnt waste plastic to produce hydrogen using an incinerator - was set to be created on the waterfront at Rothesay Dock, but has now been removed from the Scottish Government's planning system by developer Peel L&P.

The move is a big win for local campaigners who have loudly opposed the bid from the outset, with Bankie Kenny Little - who lives near the proposed site - organising a protest in July.

On hearing the news, Mr Little said: "This is great news indeed.

"This proposal should have been thrown out from the very moment their application was ever suggested.

Read More: Clydebank MSP Marie McNair voices concerns on potential hydrogen plant

"Thank goodness for Friends of the Earth Scotland, UKWIN and ERCS for their guidance and support in helping our local community fight this case.”

Environmental group Friends of the Earth Scotland hailed the decision by Peel to bin the bid and explained it was a win for Scotland as a whole.

Kim Pratt of the group said: "This is a huge victory for the Clydebank community who have come together to show a new incinerator is not welcome on their doorstep.

“The decision by Peel L&P to cancel their plans shows that they acknowledge the new incinerator won’t be accepted under the moratorium.

"The Scottish Government’s policy sends a strong signal to industry that the future of waste management in Scotland is changing.

"Developers should take note that Scotland will no longer tolerate their plans to burn precious resources.

“Plastics are fossil fuels, so burning them to produce hydrogen using risky and expensive technology cannot be part of a low-carbon future.

"Putting an end to incineration is key to reducing the unsustainable consumption of resources which is wrecking the planet."

Read More: Clydebank residents in plastics plant protest

Plans for the hydrogen plant were originally lodged with West Dunbartonshire Council's planning group in August 2021, with the council giving it the green light in June 2022.

However, the plans had to be approved at government level, and were referred to the Scottish Government under a planning direction relating to 'incineration and advanced thermal treatment facilities.

The Scottish Government had previously made a pledge to reject planning applications for new incinerators in Scotland in its response to an independent review on incineration - and the Rothesay Dock plans were, or would have been, the first test of that moratorium.

Last month, Clydebank's MSP, Marie McNair, spoke out against the plans in the Scottish Parliament.