TORFAEN’S AM has officially complained over the Welsh Government’s refusal to release the inspection report over the Varteg opencast appeal.

Lynne Neagle’s complaint to the Information Commissioner comes as the fight for a 500 metre buffer around open cast mines to be made lawwas taken to the Assembly.

Dr John Cox, who has lead a petition calling for the Welsh Government’s Minerals Technical Advice Note (MTAN) to enter the statute books, and Ms Neagle gave evidence to the Assembly’s petitions committee yesterday.

There are homes within 500 metres of the proposed mine, while the Welsh-medium school Ysgol Bryn Onnen is just 120 metres away.

Labour’s Ms Neagle had requested a copy, under the Freedom of Information Act and environmental information regulations, of a planning inspector’s report into an appeal from Glamorgan Power against Torfaen council’s rejection of plans to extract 256,000 tonnes of coal from the Varteg.

The inspector, Clive Nield, had recommended the appeal be allowed but the minister responsible for planning Carl Sargeant will make the final decision.

Ms Neagle asked the Information Commissioner to look into the matter given the public interest and the “clear precedent” for the release of the report at this stage in cases in England.

The Welsh Government previously stated there is no formal requirement for the report to be issued.