CAMPAIGNERS opposing a planned Cwmfelinfach waste plant will take their fight to the doorstep of Natural Resources Wales (NRW) next week.

Since applicant Hazrem Environmental proposed the plant at Nine Mile Point last year, communities have raised a 1,580 strong petition and held several protests opposing the development.

After the waste plant was granted planning permission, Hazrem applied for an environmental permit from Natural Resources Wales — the final obstacle stopping the plant from operating.

To mark the upcoming closure of the permit's public consultation on Thursday July 8, concerned residents and councillors will present hundreds of letters of objection to NRW at their Cardiff offices.

With the backing of Islwyn MP Chris Evans and AM Rhianon Passmore and a 600-strong signature petition, campaigners fear that if the development goes ahead, the plant’s emissions will increase air pollution in the valleys.

Councillor Jan Jones, of Ynysddu ward, stated the group are opposing the permit because the NRW report did not take into account the “microclimate” of the valleys and its affect on pollution levels.

She added that pollution readings in the report were “discredited" as they were "taken from council data from Blackwood and Caerphilly, not Wattsville".

“The people are still totally supportive of us and everybody doing their bit to spread the work and collect signatures,” said Ms Jones.

“There is still a big strength of feeling and residents don't want this factory in the middle of their valley.”

Islwyn's MP Mr Evans, added: "It would be unacceptable if the proposed waste recycling plant put the health of local residents at risk which is why it is so important that a permit must only granted if NRW are absolutely sure that this will not happen."

The site will recycle non-hazardous waste but its drying method will release emissions from an 18-metre high chimney alongside transporting waste with 25-tonne HGVs.

The factory would also accept up to 100,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste per year which will be sorted and segregated for recycling and the production of fuel offsite at incineration facilities.

NRW operations manager Jon Goldsworthy, stated NRW are satisfied that “there will be no harm to the environment or human health as a result of the proposed development”.

“We are currently in the public consultation phase, inviting local people to provide us with any information which has not come to light to date that we should consider,” he said.

“We will look at this information and consider anything new that we haven’t already examined before making our final decision."

For more information on the consultation, visit www.naturalresources.wales/about-us/consultations.