Barry incinerator

AT AN EARLY meeting about the incinerator attended by Jane Hutt AM and two NRW representatives, one being Natalie De Longhi, it was said only grade A non-hazardous timber was to be used.

It would be sorted and shredded off site and transported to bays on the dock.

Once the incinerator was given the licence to operate, Natalie appeared on the Welsh news as did the DIAG representative Alex Liosatos and Conservative MP Alun Cairns.

She went on to say the material would consist of recycled wood, kitchens, doors and fencing.

Hardly non-hazardous timber as much of which is usually treated, containing glue, paint, and laminate which creates toxins that pollute the atmosphere when incinerated.

Yet they have reportedly “fully scrutinised every aspect of the application.”

T Abery

Laburnum Close

Barry

Good Samaritans

FOLLOWING the recent hazardous snowstorms, I feel it is hugely important to pay tribute to all the Good Samaritans that have worked so hard to help those in need through the weekend.

I have heard heart-warming stories of farmers clearing roads, neighbours helping the elderly and scores of people working extra hours - going above and beyond the call of duty.

Special tribute must go to our nurses, doctors, council workers, care workers, fire, police and ambulance crews, to name just a few, all who managed to provide such vital services to the public in such difficult circumstances.

Alun Cairns MP

Vale of Glamorgan

Town council meeting

I READ with interest the article in the Barry and District News (February 8 2018), on the decision of Natural Resources Wales to grant a permit to Biomass UK No2 Ltd. to operate its new plant in Barry Docks.

I do however I feel I must challenge the accuracy of the quoted statement from Plaid Cymru leader of Barry Town Council, councillor Shirley Hodges which stated that at the planning meeting of July 2015 it was only Plaid Cymru councillors that voted against the planning application.

I would like to put the record straight, by stating that at that meeting I voted against the planning application, based on all relevant facts, thus disproving the statement made by Cllr Shirley Hodges.

This letter might at first seem pedantic, but I feel it important to clarify that other local politicians do care for the community of Barry and surrounding areas, not just Plaid Cymru politicians.

Cllr Bob Penrose

Independent elected member

Sully and Lavernock

Alternative budget

I READ with interest that some Barry Labour councillors were left bamboozled by Cllr Ian Johnson’s alternative budget, accusing him of reading too quickly.

Perhaps they should have asked him to slow down, rather than just sit there like lemmings?

Clearly this is nothing more than political guff and the likely truth is they weren’t interested in hearing a cheaper alternative.

The recently announced plans to amend the Vale’s recycling scheme has several issues.

Firstly, Cllr Johnson is right to suggest the council should be targetting those families that fail to recycle, by offering support and education.

Secondly, any new bins need to have lids.

Like most Barrians I have grown tired of seeing our streets littered with paper and plastic due to the regular strong winds.

At present paper can be weighed down with tins etc, but an open paper only bin is asking for trouble.

It was great to read that the Aviva-funded incinerator is finally being challenged by the Welsh Government.

I would urge any Barrians who have products with Aviva (eg Investments, Life Insurance etc), to switch to an alternative.

I for one would never purchase one of their products.

Mike Pemberton

Bedlington Terrace

Barry

Impact assessment

WE EXPECT the Welsh ministers to confirm in the next few days their “minded to” decision on environmental impact assessment.

Moreover, the Vale council could itself require EIA, following on the motion passed overwhelmingly at last week’s meeting of the council.

It’s crucial, however, that the authorities do more than go through motions, they need to enforce planning law and stop all commissioning and testing until the development consents are complete.

Any householder who builds structures without required planning consents would meet with council enforcement orders.

How much more important when the structures include a furnace operating with high temperature explosive gases, close to stocks of flammable waste wood-chips?

The company is driving ahead with firing-up the plant, even though its contractors haven’t bothered with documents on drainage and securing sewer connections and expect to get retrospective planning approval on changed fire-water supplies plus undocumented contaminated land subject to flooding.

We can’t be assured who’s really in control, if anyone, as the tin-pot outfit called Power Consulting (Midlands) holds the operator’s license on behalf of holding company Biomass-Aviva.

Council enforcement orders are need to control cowboy builders; how much more important to enforce an order to stop them firing-up this risky incinerator close to homes and businesses?

Max Wallis

Friends of the Earth Barry&Vale

Robert Street

Barry