BOSSES from a Gwent waste firm will appear in court to face charges that they and the company put human health at risk, the Argus has learned.

Wormtech directors Jacqueline Powell, Jonathan Westwood and Robert Baynton face a string of charges over pollution at the firm’s site at Centurion Business Park, MoD Training Camp, Caerwent, Monmouthshire.

The company is accused by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) of handling waste in a way that could cause pollution to the environment, or harm human health.

The group of three directors also face charges over a failure to comply with the conditions of an environmental permit held by the firm.

The 16 charges cover dates from August 1, 2011, to October 31, 2012.

The Argus revealed last October that the composting firm, which provided waste services to Gwent councils, ceased trading with the loss of 19 jobs.

Around 15,000 tonnes of waste remains on site since the company’s collapse.

Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Rhondda Canon Taf councils had all used Wormtech services. The company had processed both green and food waste on the site.

An NRW spokeswoman said work to remove waste with the highest pollution risk has been successfully completed.

Last February former environment minister John Griffiths approved £417,000 to be provided to NRW’s predecessor, the Environment Agency Wales, for 3,000 tonnes of food waste to be removed.

The spokeswoman said the agency is continuing to monitor this waste while looking at removal options.

The three will appear at Newport Crown Court on June 26.

Firm allegedly failed to keep to conditions

WORMTECH Limited is charged with treating, keeping or disposing of controlled waste on land in a manner likely to cause pollution to the environment or harm to human health.

It is claimed the firm failed to comply with conditions in its environmental permit which state the firm should have:

● Ensured fugitive emissions of substances did not cause pollution.

● Ensured that the storage of waste was on impermeable pavements with a sealed drainage system.

● Ensured that all liquid wastes were provided with secondary containment where emission to water or land could cause pollution.

Wormtech directors Jacqueline Powell, Jonathan Westwood and Robert Baynton are also accused of offences relating to the above allegations.