Treatment plant gets councillors' go-ahead (From Free Press Series)

Treatment plant gets councillors' go-ahead

PLANS to extend a treatment plant at Magor Brewery have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

Monmouthshire County Council planning committee recently approved an application by Interbrew UK Limited, to expand the effluent treatment plant situated near the Severn Estuary near Redwick.

And local councillor Olive Evans, is now calling for immediate steps to be taken to ensure local residents and businesses are not affected by the changes.

"I am not against the expansion in principle, but the brewery must do something about the obnoxious smell," said Cllr Evans.

"Over the years there has been big problems with the smell and pollution coming from the site. I sympathise with the locals as the brewery were very slow to deal with the situation, but they seem to have reminded it now.

"However, we must make sure the problem doesn't happen again, and if it does, the brewery must correct it immediately."

Local residents had previously raised concerns about the smell emanating from the effluent treatment plant. But councillors say improvements in the system has led to a reduction in complaints to Environmental Health.

Cllr Evans is also calling for work on landscaping to be carried out immediately, to screen the site and hide the bigger towers.

George Ashworth, head of planning, said the extension is much needed; adding the site is not well landscaped and there will be less lorry movements.

The committee had been told that the extension was needed due to an increase in production. And part of the proposal was that there would be a reduction in traffic to and from the treatment plant, as there would not be any sludge produced needed to be taken away from the site.