CAMPAIGNERS donned black and carried a makeshift coffin as part of ‘death of the valleys’ protest against a planned waste plant. (Thursday, July 7)

Cwmfelinfach and Wattsville villages came to life as residents shouted slogans and waved placards in the latest series of themed protests from the Lower Sirhowy Valley Residents Group.

Since Hazrem Environmental proposed the plant at Nine Mile Point last year, residents have raised a 1,580-strong petition and voiced concerns about increased HGV traffic and air pollution.

Yesterday Ynysddu ward councillors Jan Jones and Philippa Marsden joined residents to mark the end of the public consultation on the plant’s Natural Resources Wales (NRW) permit — the final obstacle to stop the plant from operating.

Henry Marsden, 16, of Wattsville, said: “There are so many young children and it is their lives that are going to be affected. It’s important to make sure our voices are heard.”

Around 25 people gathered at the Cwmfelinfach protest waving banners as they crossed the Pelican crossing, while a procession of 40 Wattsville protestors took a more theatrical approach.

This included a mock funeral procession lead by a costumed ‘death’ character, with a coffin created specifically for the protest by Cwmfelinfach resident Chris Williams.

Cllr Jan Jones, of Ynysddu ward, thanked the drivers for their “excellent response”, with many beeping and shouting messages of support as they drove by.

“The residents have had enough and want their voice to be heard,” Cllr Jones said.

“If the factory goes ahead with up to 104 vehicles a day on our roads and emissions from the factory chimney, this will increase the amount of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere.” 

Rebecca Brain, 31, suffered severe leg injuries when a speeding car pinned her against a wall on the main street in Wattsville in 2007.

She attended the protests with her young son Max Stevens and fears increasing emissions could harm him as he was born 11 weeks premature.

“The campaign’s momentum has kept on going and everyone in the village has spoken very highly of it.  It’s getting stronger and I don’t think it’s going to stop,” she said.

“It’s not going to be great for children here growing up with high air pollution [...] it’s about time they listen to the villagers.”

Protestor Andrew Mellor, of Wattsville, has taken part in several anti Hazrem Environmental protests and believes “the feeling is still as strong” among residents.

Geoff Cox, 69, of Cwmfelinfach, added: “We’re digging our heels in as best we can as the campaign is appearing to be an uphill struggle. We’re fighting tooth and nail.”

The site will recycle non-hazardous waste but its drying method will release emissions from an 18-metre high chimney alongside transporting waste with 25-tonne HGVs.

It would also accept up to 100,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste per year which will be sorted and segregated for recycling and the production of fuel offsite at incineration facilities.

Islwyn’s AM, Rhianon Passmore, voiced support for the protest, describing it as a “strong symbol of objection” to the NRW permit.

“The plant which will process unspecified rubbish to recycle has been severely criticised,” she said.

“This is because the predicted levels of particulant pollution were modelled on inaccurate sites which skewed safe levels for the population base.

“In their planning application Hazrem Environmental stated that their site could be accessed up to 104 trips a day by twenty and forty tonne lorries.

“No wonder the local communities are saying enough is enough.”

Islwyn MP Chris Evans added that the plant "must not affect the health and wellbeing of the local community".

“I hope and expect that Natural Resources Wales will only grant a permit if they are absolutely certain the plant will not be a public health issue,” he said.

In a previous statement from NRW, operations manager Jon Goldsworthy said NRW are satisfied that “there will be no harm to the environment or human health as a result of the proposed development".

They will now consider the results of the public consultation before making their final decision.