FORMER Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed has claimed Scottish ministers will be playing Russian roulette with public health if they approve plans for a controversial waste incinerator.

A public local inquiry is to take place this summer into the development on the Easter Ross peninsula. It will consider air quality and human health issues arising from Combined Power and Heat (Highlands) Ltd's plan to build the incinerator at Invergordon, near Mr al Fayed's Balnagown Estate.

Richard Dent, the Scottish Government reporter assigned to the case, had initially indicated he did not consider there was a need to hear such evidence, but campaigners voiced their opposition.

Mr al Fayed said yesterday: "I am glad that good sense has prevailed in this instance. The potential damage from this wasteburning incinerator in the heart of a residential area cannot be exaggerated.

"I have already commissioned a study by a leading authority in such matters, a professor at the University of Surrey, and it is clear beyond doubt from his report that it would be playing Russian roulette with public health were permission granted for this monstrous rubbish-burner on the banks of the Cromarty Firth."

The company insists the plant would be safe and provide heat and power for 10,000 homes by incinerating un-recyclable waste.