QUEBEC CITY -- Hailed as a landmark by the Port of Quebec, and reviled as a stain on the landscape by some of its residents, a new silo for wood pellets is causing a stir.

At 12 storeys high and resembling a giant egg or golf ball, the silo was inflated at the Port of Quebec Friday, and is the first of its kind in the city.

The plan is to erect a second silo next year, with up to four eventually at the port.

The port said it met with community groups to discuss the plan last June, but environmentalists and concerned citizens say they have gripes with its construction.

Alexandre Turgeon of the Regional Environmental Council said he felt the port rush the project through.

“They started the whole construction before even talking to the citizens about the project,” said Turgeon, adding that he feels it’s completely out of place next to a shoreline park.

Veronique Lalonde of the Comite de vigilance des citoyens envers le port de Quebec had a different concern.

“The main concern for us is security,” she added. “Wood pellets are at very high risk of fire, high risk of explosion.” said Veronique Lalonde of the Comite de vigilance des citoyens envers le port de Quebec.

The port says there is no risk of dangerous dust because the wood pellets will be contained in concrete silos, adding that the project will generate 260 jobs and $32 million in tax revenue.

That doesn’t satisfy Lalonde, who said it seemed unfair they weren’t consulted.

“Usually you realize that even if you own your house, you don't do whatever you want, because you have to deal with the neighbours,” she said.

The Parti Quebecois is also displeased with the federal project, saying this is another classic example of Ottawa going against the interests of Quebecers, and is also disregarding Quebec laws. For decades, companies in the port obtained approval from Quebec City before making major changes.

“Like every company in Quebec and like every company in the port authority, (it was) always done for several years, until two years ago where they start to challenging the fact that the Quebec law applies to this federal land,” said Turgeon.