THE decision to give a controversial waste recycling plant in Cwmfelinfach the go ahead after it was initially refused has been described as “unacceptable and shocking” by an MP.

Chris Evans, MP for Islwyn, said approval of the Hazrem Environmental site at Nine Mile Point was putting “the needs of big business before people’s health”.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had originally refused to grant an environmental permit to applicants Hazrem Environmental in January.

But NRW withdrew its objections when the firm lodged an appeal, saying information had been presented which was not available when it made its initial decision.

Yesterday a government inspector announced Hazrem’s appeal had been successful.

Mr Evans said: “The decision is unacceptable and shocking.

“This is a clear example of the Planning Inspectorate putting the needs of big business before local residents’ health and wellbeing.

“Gases will be pumped out at a frightening rate and become trapped in the valley harming local residents.

“That is to say nothing of the huge increase in heavy goods vehicle traffic which will clog up the roads and release even more noxious gases right on people’s doorsteps through Ynysddu and Wattsville.”

Hazrem has always maintained that no statutory air quality limits would be breached by the operation of the facility.

The Labour politician added: “The Sirhowy valley has some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country. Today’s decision can only make it worse.”

The decision was met with derision by members of the Lower Sirhowy Valley Residents Group, a pressure group made up of residents and councillors who have opposed the plant since it was first proposed in 2015.

Cllr John Ridgewell said: “We are absolutely devastated. It’s appalling and absolutely the last thing we wanted, we don’t know what the impact is going to have on us – the anxieties we’ve had all along are coming to fruition.

“We’re planning a number of public meetings to speak to everybody in the community and decide what actions, if any, that we can take next.

“Ultimately we want the conditions Hazrem must follow to be as strict as possible.”

Cllr Phillipa Marsden, a fellow member for Ynysddu, said: “After fighting this for two years, it’s hard to put into words how we feel.

In his decision notice, inspector Alwyn Nixon said: “I recognise that there are significant numbers within the local population who are especially vulnerable in health terms, including the elderly, the young and those with respiratory conditions.”

But he said he was satisfied the predicted impact on air quality in the area would be “acceptable”.

He added: “Whilst some objectors will no doubt continue not to trust the scientific assessments that have been carried out, these provide a robust body of evidence which demonstrates convincingly that the proposed facility is able to operate satisfactorily in this location without significant harm to the health of the surrounding population.

“The evidence demonstrates conclusively that an environmental permit should be granted. Conditions attached to such a permit will require that the facility operates within prescribed limits.”

A two-day public inquiry in October heard further objections from Hollywood actor Michael Sheen and Islwyn AM Rhianon Passmore.

Ms Passmore said she was “deeply disappointed” by the decision, saying the views of the community had been “put to one side”.

She added: “It is a wholly unsatisfactory situation where the body charged with ensuring the public’s interests are safeguarded is unable to independently verify data put forward by an applicant who have the sole purpose of securing a permit to make a profit.

“Public health should never be played with fast and loose like this.”

Both Ms Passmore and Mr Evans have called for an urgent meeting with the Welsh Government’s environment minister Hannah Blythyn to discuss their concerns.