Demand for further consultation after adjacent council fails to consult over major plans

CALDICOT town councillors have demanded further consultation on plans to build a thermal waste treatment plant at a nearby industrial estate as objections continue to mount.

The contentious application to install two 15.5 metre-high stainless steel chimneys at Severn Bridge Industrial Estate in Portskewett has attracted more than 150 objections since being submitted on June 8.

Public protests and public meetings with Portskewett Community Council have followed, but members of Caldicot Town Council feel they have been snubbed by the planning process.

At a meeting on Wednesday night, Cllr Tony Easson said it was the second time in two months that the council had not been notified of “major” planning applications in the area.

In June, councillors criticised Monmouthshire County Council for consulting only Caerwent Community Council on plans to fill Caerwent Quarry – despite the plan outlining heavy use of Caldicot roads.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Tony Easson, member for Dewstow, said: “Once again as an adjacent authority we have not been consulted until I asked, and these plans have been in since June 8.

“We should be informed about major plans like this, this is the second time that we haven’t been directly involved.”

Cllr Dave Ashwin, member for Green Lane, added: “This is the second time as a neighbouring authority we’ve been ignored, I want something done about that.”

The council agreed to send a letter to the applicants, DPS Process Solutions Limited, inviting them to give a presentation at the town hall to address their concerns.

The firm are currently using the former Tata Steel site on the industrial estate as a commercial research and development centre.

The proposed chimneys would help the unit thermally treat up to 20,000 tonnes of materials per year.

Monmouth MP David Davies has objected to the plans and believes residents’ concerns on the issue are “perfectly valid”. Mr Davies called for clarity on how much income is generated from collecting waste and how much is made from generating electricity, while also suggesting that environmental factors be examined.

“It is important to alleviate any perception that the company is simply being paid to burn waste and the electricity generation is an attempt to portray this as a ‘green’ process,” he added.

Newport East MP Jessica Morden has also objected after receiving, reports from residents living within her constituency in Caldicot.

Issues such as limited consultation, jobs being given to people living outside the area and lack of consideration to the close proximity of the plant to a school and houses were raised in a letter from Ms Morden.

 

Article originally appeared on South Wales Argus 

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