ANGER is continuing to mount against plans to build a thermal waste treatment plant in Portskewett with nearly 200 objections filed within two months.

Residents, businesses and MPs are among those concerned with the proposed two 15.5 metre chimneys, which would treat up to 20,000 tonnes of material a year at the Severn Bridge Industrial Estate.

Public protests and public meetings with Portskewett Community Council and DPS Process Solutions Ltd – the Bristol-based firm behind the application – have followed.

The development has been labelled as “inappropriate for a rural village” by one resident, with a grandmother also expressing her “concern at the potential health hazard this facility will pose” to her three grandchildren.

Another resident, Vicky Davis, wrote: “My daughter for one has been into hospital on more than one occasion with breathing difficulties due to asthma.

“The thought of any kind of flue stacks which, even with the promises and best will of those who own it, cannot possibly promise that further down the line it will not be used for unknown materials and emit toxic fumes.”

The site’s close proximity to Archbishop Rowan Williams Church in Wales Primary School was also an issue raised by objectors.

Marcus Sandeman believes the facility, which would be operational 24/7, would lead to increases in light and noise pollution and road traffic.

He said the value of those houses built, and yet to be built at the former Sudbrook paper mill, could fall with the construction of the plant.

He added: “The Severn Bridge tolls are soon to be reduced which has already seen an increase in people employed in Bristol moving into South Wales and commuting to work.

“An incinerator plant could have a huge negative impact on people’s decision to move into the area.”

Members of Caldicot Town Council feel they have been snubbed by the planning process.

At a meeting last month, 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 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 and have maintained that all materials treated at the proposed facility would be “non hazardous”.

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, and jobs being given to people living outside the area were raised in a letter from Ms Morden.