A protester holds a banner outside the Scottish Parliament

More than 40 residents from Greengairs, Wattston, Glenmavis and Plains are angry they face the prospect of a ninth site in their area.

A spokesman said they wanted to hold First Minister Jack McConnell to pledges on protecting the environment.

Mr McConnell refused to be drawn when challenged to return to Greengairs to explain the executive's position.

Greengairs is already next to Europe's largest landfill site.

Campaigners were shocked when a public inquiry gave the new dump the all clear and the Scottish Executive said it was minded to approve it.

He said he could begin to experience what we were experiencing and his parting words were 'This should not happen again'. Maria Donovan Greengairs Community Council

Villagers said Mr McConnell gave them some hope on a visit to the area, but that they are now going to be dumped on again.

Maria Donovan, chairperson of Greengairs Community Council, said: "What makes it worse is that Jack McConnell came to Greengairs two years ago.

"He said he could begin to experience what we were experiencing and his parting words were 'This should not happen again. Enough is enough'."

At the protest rally, in a meeting room complex close to the parliament, seven MSPs from all parties except Labour were present.

They included Green MSP Mark Ballard who told the rally: "The people of Greengairs have been betrayed by Jack McConnell and the Scottish waste management industry."

Villagers say the are already surrounded by dumps

And Scottish National Party MSP Alex Neil told the gathering Mr McConnell had reneged on his "enough is enough" promise.

"He promises Greengairs an environmental justice fund, but that's not what the people want," said Mr Neil.

"They want rid of the environmental injustice that comes with being the largest dumping ground in Europe for waste."

The new landfill site has not yet been given formal planning permission.

The executive said that as it was the subject of a current planning application it could not comment.

'Difficult to comment'

At first minister's questions, Mr McConnell refused to be drawn when challenged by Mr Ballard.

He said: "It was precisely because of our concern for the community of Greengairs that we did not allow North Lanarkshire to agree this planning application at the time when it wished to do so.

"We called that application in to ensure that appropriate conditions are imposed on any application.