Plans for a waste incinerator near Ochiltree have been withdrawn.

The Say No to an Incinerator at Barr/Killoch group have been fighting for several years to oppose Barr Environmental's plans to build a waste-to-energy facility at the former Killoch colliery site, near Ochiltree.

After gaining widespread of public support, and lobbying against the plans, the group has today announced that they've received words plans have been withdrawn.

The group said the planned incinerator would bring thousands of tonnes of rubbish to Ayrshire every month with more pollution and traffic chaos.

A planning application had been under review by East Ayrshire planning chiefs for more than two years.

READ MORE: Ochiltree and Coylton residents protest at incinerator plans

Barr Environmental's application for an "energy recovery park to include an energy from waste recovery facility and visitor centre; external stack, plant and associated infrastructure and alterations to access" was submitted to the council in May 2021. 

It has since attracted more than 1,400 objections - along with two expressions of support.

A 'Say No to an Incinerator at Barr/Killoch Group' spokesperson said: "Finally we have an update for everyone.

"We have just confirmed that Barr have officially withdrawn their application with East Ayrshire Council planning for the incinerator at Killoch.

"It’s been four long years of this group fighting against the incinerator but it has paid off.

"Everyone who has objected to the incinerator will in the next weeks receive correspondence for the council by letting confirming this.

"A huge thank to everyone who has helped the group."

READ MORE: New report urges moratorium on waste-to-energy incinerators

The application's dedicated page at East Ayrshire Council's planning portal confirms the application was withdrawn today (Thursday, January 25). 

A letter confirming the withdrawal has also been published on the same website. 

The letter, from EAC's chief governance officer, David Mitchell, to Wardell Armstrong LLP of Glasgow, states: "I refer to the above application and I write to confirm that the application has now been withdrawn from consideration as requested by yourself."

The Chronicle reported in May 2022 how a Government-commissioned report on waste incineration said that no more incinerators should be approved.

Later that year EAC said it was in favour of the principle of a waste-to-energy plant to support its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint - but stopped short of backing Barr's application.

The letter confirming withdrawal of the plans is the first document relating to the application to have been published on EAC's website since July 2022.

Barr Environmental, East Ayrshire Council and the campaign group have all been contacted for further comment.