CAMPAIGNERS in Cardiff have claimed victory after US-based energy-from-waste giant Covanta scotched plans for a waste transfer station (WTS) in the eastern suburbs of the city.
Under the proposal, 200,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste from Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan would have been taken to the site at South Wales International Freightliner Terminal on Newlands Road, Wentloog, annually.
The WTS scheme had remained in place despite separate plans for a £400m incinerator on the outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil, which it was meant to service, being withdrawn in October.
But yesterday it was confirmed the WTS scheme had also been ditched – much to the jubilation of opposition groups.
They had led petitions after concerns over potential noise, smells and visual impact on residents living in nearby Trowbridge and St Mellons.
Lead campaigner Claire Kennett said residents living nearby were “over the moon” with the news.
She said: “We are absolutely over the moon. I’m absolutely thrilled – it’s fantastic news for us and all the residents. They were still being pig-headed by saying: ‘We are going to go ahead’ even when they didn’t get the contract.
“I have been on the phone all day and people are e-mailing me so the word’s going around and the posters are starting to come down.”
Trowbridge councillor Ralph Cook said the benefits of the scheme – which would have brought eight jobs to the area – were far outweighed by its environmental drawbacks.
He said: “My own personal view is it wasn’t an appropriate use of a freight liner terminal. This place would have been operating until 10pm every day including on Saturdays and possibly Sundays.
“Residents can be proud of themselves – they ran an effective campaign. It is a good result for St Mellons.”
