CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a victory against a proposed waste plant after an environmental watchdog refused its operating permit, citing a concern for residents’ health.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) today refused an environmental permit application for Hazrem Environmental’s facility at Nine Mile Point industrial estate in Caerphilly county borough.

Following a public consultation— including a message from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to “exercise caution”— NRW ruled the plant could have a negative effect on local peoples’ health.

The site would involve sorting and segregating waste for recycling and fuel production releasing emissions from the burning of natural gas used in an onsite drier including Nitrogen Dioxide.

Campaigners previously feared that emissions trapped by the cold air of the valleys — a process called temperature inversion — could increase air pollution levels in Cwmfelinfach and Wattsville.

Operations manager for NRW, Jon Goldsworthy, said: “We received evidence during the public consultation from Public Health Wales to advise us about the potential impact on local air quality.

“As a result we believe that the proposed facility has the potential to have a negative impact on the health of people living in the area.

“This is due to a predicted short term increase in Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations during certain weather conditions, such as thermal inversions.

“We were not satisfied that the company’s detailed plans demonstrate that it can operate without harming people.”

Members of the Lower Sirhowy Valley Residents Group have opposed plans since the plant was granted planning permission by Caerphilly council in December 2015.

During their year-long battle, the group have staged several protests, alongside gaining the support of Islwyn’s MP Chris Evans and AM Rhianon Passmore.

Reacting to the decision, Ynysddu Councillor, Jan Jones, said the group were “absolutely over the moon” with the news, which marks a long “battle” against the plant.

“There were times when we felt that nobody was listening to us and I think if we hadn’t kept on going it would have went ahead,” she said.

“I think NRW have made the right decision as they listened to the health board who had concerns about health of the people and listened to our concerns about emissions and temperature inversion.

“I would like to thank Allan Sharpe as he understood the chemistry and was a driving force for us and also the Lower Sirhowy Valley group. We all worked together and helped each other."

“In all my time as a councillor this has been the biggest threat to the valleys and the way people have responded and worked together has been absolutely remarkable,” she added.

“We have to remain vigilant and obviously there is another side to the story.”

Islwyn AM, Rhianon Passmore, said she was “delighted that the correct decision was made by NRW”.

“The refusal to grant a permit for a waste treatment facility in Cwmfelinfach will help to safeguard and protect our communities from increases in Nitrogen Dioxide emissions.

“I wish to pay tribute to the hard work and determination of Labour Councillors Jan Jones and Philippa Marsden, pharmacist Allan Sharpe and the local action group, The Lower Sirhowy Valley Residents Group.

"Collectively they have worked with great determination to ensure the people’s voices have been heard.

"Such true and fighting community spirit is a valuable reminder of what binds our communities in Islwyn together."

Islwyn's MP, Chris Evans, added:"The number one concern has always been to protect residents’ health.

"This is undoubtedly an important victory for local residents and councillors on behalf of their local community, and just goes to show that community-led campaigns can and do make all the difference."

Director of Hazrem Environmental, Paul Goddard, stated that there is “no legal basis” for the plant's refusal, as “no statutory air quality limits would be breached” .

“The opening of this plant would have meant an overall reduction in both CO2 and NOx emissions within the South Wales area, as other waste management companies are currently transporting the waste further afield for treatment,” he said.

“The local authority granted us planning permission for this facility after carrying out in depth consultations with their environmental health department, so it is frustrating that if we were in any other industry other than waste we would be half way through the build phase.

“It should be pointed out that planning has been granted for this piece of land so any manufacturer could build a new facility on this piece of land, and create more HGV movements and emit higher NOx levels than our facility.

“They however would not require an environmental permit and would not be subject to any further permissions or control measures, such as limits on Nitrogen Dioxide.”

He added: “The main concerns raised by NRW seem to be related to potential NOx emissions from our operation.

“We provided NRW with robust NOx data from a similar facility operating within the UK, which demonstrated that the actual NOx emissions would be well below 100mg/Nm3.

“NRW was not willing to accept this actual data, and rather based their decision on our original 'estimated' figure of 300mg/Nm3."

Hazrem Environmental plan to appeal the decision.