‘We couldn’t cope’
Community leaders oppose Amlwch camp for 800 workers
A NUCLEAR firm has been urged to ditch plans for a temporary workers camp in one of Anglesey’s largest towns, capable of accommodating up to 800 workers.
Horizon Nuclear Power has earmarked three possible sites in northern Anglesey which, between them, could accommodate up to 7,000 of estimated 10,000 construction workers needed to build the £12bn Wylfa Newydd plant.
One of the sites is Madyn Farm on the outskirts of Amlwch, containing around 50 permanent houses for 150-200 workers, which would then be turned into general housing. While up to another 800 workers could be temporarily accommodated on land adjacent and taken down when Wylfa is built.
But at a public meeting, in response to Horizon’s consultation, strong opposition was expressed to the plans for a temporary camp in Amlwch, with the town council urg- ing Horizon to scrap the proposals.
A petition of over 300 people was handed over to Horizon bosses yesterday morning (Tuesday), urging the firm to concentrate on the proposed development at the former Shell Oil depot in nearby Rhosgoch, purchased for £3m from Anglesey Council last year by the Conygar Investment Company.
According to the town council chairman, Cllr Gareth Winston Roberts, the Rhosgoch site could then be transformed into a leisure village when construction of the power plant has been completed, leaving a permanent legacy for the area.
He said: “We’re concerned over the impact that a thousand people moving into Amlwch overnight would have an unacceptable impact on local amenities.
“We’re not opposed to the permament homes as 200 is a reasonable figure. We hope these homes would then become social housing, benefitting the town.
“Developing Rhosgoch has the possibility of creating 70-80 permanent jobs, as well as maintenance work for local contractors. A leisure village would be a positive, permanent legacy for the Amlwch area.”
Fears were also raised at the meeting over a lack of information in Horizon’s latest consultation over improvements to the A5025 between Cemaes and Amlwch despite an expected rise in traffic.
Cllr Roberts added: “The road has a history of fatal accidents, yet Horizon’s recent documents only propose traffic calming measures.”
Albert Owen MP, who attended Thursday’s public meeting at the Dinorben Arms, said: “The issues raised included road infrastructure, housing and employment opportunities. Residents have voiced real concerns and want to make sure north Anglesey gets a strong legacy. “I fully agree and will arrange to meet Horizon and Anglesey Council to put forward these concerns. Horizon must bring the local communities with them and this meeting was a good opportunity to listen to residents’ genuine concerns.”
Anglesey Chief Executive, Dr Gwynne Jones, said: “It’s clear that the Wylfa Newydd projects needs to deliver significant legacy benefits to those areas which will most affected by this huge development. Improvements to highway infrastructure, housing and significant jobs creation must form a vital part of this important process.
“As an Authority, and working with the Twrcelyn ward’s elected members, we will continue to hold dialogue with Horizon Nuclear Power on the issues which matter to Amlwch Town Council and local residents in order to ensure the best possible outcomes.”
For more on Anglesey Council’s view and a response from Horizon, see page 6.