CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after controversial plans to build a waste plant on an industrial estate near Caldicot were rejected.

Monmouthshire County Council yesterday (Wednesday) confirmed that plans to build two 15.5 metre high chimneys at the former Tata Steel site in Portskewett’s Severn Bridge Industrial Estate have been refused.

A spokesman said: “The council has refused the application for the erection of two flue stacks (to facilitate the thermal treatment of non-hazardous waste types) and the siting of storage containers at Portskewett under delegated powers.”

The decision means the application will not need to go before the county council’s planning committee.

More than 400 people have lodged objections since the plans were submitted by DPS Process Solutions Ltd, which recently went into administration.

A campaign group, STOP (Severnside Together Opposing Pollution), was set up by a group of concerned residents after a public meeting heard concerns.

Ted Tipper, leader of the group, said: “It’s been a long, hard nine months with many highs and lows, but we are clearly delighted this decision has been reached.”

Many voiced concerns over the site generating air pollution, including MPs Jessica Morden and David Davies. The applicant can still appeal the decision.

Mr Tipper paid tribute to residents and business people who have given advice and assistance.

STOP has voiced its objection to the proposals through leaflet distribution, posters and a Facebook page.

They also produced a detailed 80-page document of their concerns followed by an analysis of the revised Air Quality Assessment and a two-page ‘Summary of their Reasons for Refusal’ of the application.

Mr Tipper said: “We never dreamt that, in such a small area, we would find so many people with the relevant technical, legal and other specialist knowledge. “

Without them it would have been an impossible task.” In a statement, a spokesman for STOP added: While there is cause to celebrate across Severnside, STOP is justifiably cautious. “The applicant can still appeal the decision and there is nothing to stop them, or anybody else, putting in another one.

“If they do, however, STOP will be ready for them.” Amongst the objectors were also Caldicot Metal Decorating (CMD), the largest independent metal decorator in the UK. The business, which provides 65 highly skilled jobs, said the waste plant proposed would damage its image and potentially have a ‘catastrophic’ effect on the economy in the area. DPS always stressed that the plant would not be an “incinerator” and said it would involve a thermal treatment process which does not involve incineration. Matthew Richards and Alistair Wardell of Grant Thornton UK LLP were appointed as joint administrators. A spokesman for Grant Thornton, the administrators acting on behalf of DPS, said: “The business is continuing to trade and interested parties should contact the administrators.”