Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood and Chris Franks have criticised the decision to allow a huge incinerator to be built in the Welsh capital.
A waste-to-energy plant capable of handling 350,000 tonnes of rubbish a year is now set to be constructed by Viridor in the Splott area of Cardiff after the Environment Agency granted the firm the necessary permit.
Earlier this year, Cardiff Council granted planning permission for the incinerator.
Leanne Wood, AM for South Wales Central, said: “I am deeply disappointed the last remaining hurdle to this incinerator coming to fruition has now been cleared. I opposed Viridor’s application and made my feelings clear to the Environment Agency because I am concerned that the incineration of rubbish, on the scale planned for Splott, does not fit with the green agenda promoted the Welsh Assembly.
“The contracts associated with an incinerator such as this effectively tie local authorities long-term, when alternative, more efficient and greener technology or improved methods of recycling could emerge.
“While it may not have been within the remit of the Environment Agency to take into consideration the impact of heavy vehicles travelling to and from the site, this will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on the local environment in terms of noise and air pollution. I know local residents are also concerned about the dangers of having these large lorries rumbling through their community at all hours of the day and night.”
Ms Wood added: “This is one of many incinerators planned for a small area within the south east of Wales and I am concerned about the cumulative impact they will have on our environment.
“Without any restrictions as to where the rubbish can come from for incineration, this region will be seen as the dumping ground for the whole of the UK.”
Mr Franks said: “Assembly Members and local Plaid activist Liz Musa have worked with community groups opposing this development. Liz Musa has collected signatures on a petition from her neighbours. This is a disappointing decision for residents living in the area in Grangetown, Splott and Butetown. Plaid believes incineration is not the way forward because it is inefficient in energy generation, and damaging to the environment.”
