Opposition to chimney stack plan
PEOPLE in Hirwaun have voiced their concern over a waste treatment plant’s plans to build a 90-metre chimney stack in their area.
Enviroparks is looking to double the height of the stack at its Hirwaun Industrial Estate facility in the Cynon Valley from 45 metres to 90 metres but residents have concerns about its impact on people’s health and what it says about the future of their area.
Clare Rees is part of a community campaign group called Valleys For Tourism Not Trash opposing the application which has yet to be submitted officially to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council (RCT).
She says the original plan in 2010 was for a chimney stack less than 45 metres tall, then in 2017 the plan was amended to make it 45 metres tall and now Enviroparks wants to make it 90 metres.
The group wants to see the area move away from the heavy industry of the past and focus on new and exciting tourism opportunities for the future such as Zip World.
She said the main worries are around emissions, the proximity to surrounding villages, the potential impact on the nearby reservoir, traffic, noise and smell.
She added: “People are keen to see something new for the future rather than waste.
“That is not the sort of thing we want the valley to be known for.
“Industry has been our past. It doesn’t have to be our future.”
Dianne Pope who is also part of the campaign opposing the plans said she’s concerned that there are already higher rates of respiratory conditions in the area and that this will add to it.
She said the area has the chance to become an area known for tourism with attractions like Zip World coming to the area and they have had enough of heavy industry.
She said: “We do live in a pretty part of Wales. We’ve got different sorts of attractions in the area.
“Why have we always got to be a brownfield area? Why can’t we be a tourist area?
“When Zip World was announced there was a buzz about the place. I thought that was amazing.”
“I want a better future for every child in all these villages. When Zip World is up and running, other companies are going to come into the area.”
She said that with the announcement about Zip World, several businesses in the area had decided to refurbish and an ice cream parlour has recently opened.
Speaking about Zip World, Ms Pope said: “People come from everywhere to come to the ones in North Wales.
“There’s a chance for us to be put on the map because of a different industry.”
She says she doesn’t want to forget her industrial heritage but they are at the beginning of an amazing future for the valley and she’s excited to think what could be done.
“I live where I live. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I feel there would be more jobs created by Zip World.
“I feel a buzz in the villages. There is a great future ahead of us.”
Councillor Karen Morgan, who represents Hirwaun on RCT Council, said: “This application has been mooted in various shapes and forms for over 10 years now.
“It was contentious then and it is contentious now.
“Residents are understandably concerned about the potential impact on our communities.
“There is a general feeling of enough is enough after the heavy polluting industry of the past and a desire to make more of what our surroundings have to offer.”
Enviroparks said it doesn’t wish to make a detailed comment at the moment during the public consultation phase other than to say all emails and letters are being collated and a report will be produced and issued to the RCT planning department for their consideration during the determination process and that objectors can rest assured their comments will be reported to RCT.
Enviroparks adds there is a significant amount of detail on its website about the application.
It says it is aware waste processing plants raise concerns with some residents but points out the plant already has consent and is partially built and will be completed either with the current consent or as per the current application if planning is granted.
It says the location of the site is determined by the planning policies of both Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and RCT Council in their unitary and local development plans.
A 60-year-old nan had the best birthday surprise when she was able to hug her grandson for the first time in four months following the coronavirus lockdown in Wales.
The emotional reunion, which was captured on video, took place on
Tuesday in Tonypandy.
When Wales entered lockdown on March 23, families were been forced to spend time apart from each other.
Despite living in the same street, Hayley Feehan and 11-year-old son Jayden, have been unable to have a “proper Welsh cwtch” with nan Gillian Feehan – until now.
Daughter Hayley planned the surprise for her mam’s 60th birthday. The 36-year-old said that the family have been careful since restrictions have slowly eased as her parents are at “high risk”.
But since July 6, two households have been able join together in one “bubble” household in Wales.
Talking about the emotional reunion, Hayley, 36, said seeing her son Jayden hug his Nan for the first time in 117 days “broke her heart”.
“It’s been really emotional for us all, we are really close. We have walked past her window and waved before but it is not the same. It’s a long time to go without seeing your grandparents. “She needed to cwtch her grandson.
“It’s the little things in life you actually need.” Gillian said that it had been terrible not being able to see her family properly in the last few months.
“I have listened from day one of lockdown, I didn’t expect this, they came over around 12pm, it was lovely and it was my 60th. “He sat in the garden with his nanny.
“It’s made my birthday so special,” the 60-year-old said.