A HEALTH authority has advised Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to ‘exercise caution’ in giving the go ahead to a proposed waste recycling plant.

The plant, being developed by Hazrem Environmental Ltd, will be situated at Nine Mile Point Industrial Estate and is currently going through a consultation exercise with NRW to gain its operating permit.

But executive director of public health at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s (ABUHB), Dr Gillian Richardson, has warned that the plant's emissions could increase air pollution levels.

In a report submitted to NRW as part of the consultation exercise, Dr Richardson cites “strong evidence" that the development will cause “significant short-term local air quality deterioration within an area of deprivation, including vulnerable populations”.

Although the report states breaches of air quality objectives are not expected, it adds that Nitrogen Dioxide is a “non-threshold pollutant” and there is "no ‘safe’ threshold of exposure".

The plant will process up to 100,000 tonnes of waste annually in a process that involves shredding, wrapping and storage before the waste is taken offsite for incineration.

Emissions are produced from the burning of natural gas in the drying process and are released through an 18-metre high stack, which will also eliminate odour emissions.

Since the planning application was submitted to Caerphilly County Borough Council last year, campaigners have expressed concerns about rising air pollution, staging several protests, including a themed 'Death of the Valleys' demo which featured residents marching in a mock funeral procession in Wattsville.

Cllr Jan Jones, of Ynysddu ward, has campaigned with the Lower Sirhowy Valley Resident’s Group against the plant since last year, gaining the support of Islwyn’s MP and AM in the process.

“Now, for the first time we are being listened to,” she said.

“After a year of fighting the Hazrem Environmental Ltd application to put their factory in the middle of our valley, I'm overjoyed that the health board have agreed that there are potential health risks from exposure to emissions from this factory.”

Islwyn’s AM Rhianon Passmore added: “The conclusions of the executive director of public health for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board are clear.

“The regulator simply cannot ignore the health threat posed to the local community by the proposed new facility at Nine Mile Point.”

Islwyn’s MP, Chris Evans, also welcomed the health board’s report and agreed that NRW should ‘exercise caution’ when making their final decision.

“It's vitally important that the health and wellbeing of residents is properly taken into account,” he said.

Director of Hazrem Environmental Ltd, Paul Goddard, stated that the initial air quality assessment provided to NRW was based on a “worst case scenario” because the dryer’s specification was not available at the time of the permit application.

“The dryer specification has now been decided on and the supplier has said that the Nitrogen Dioxide emissions will be closer to 50mg/m3 rather than the predicted 300mg/m3 used in the air quality assessment,” he said.

“This updated information will be passed to both NRW and Public Health Wales for their consideration”.

Dr Richardson, of ABUHB, said: “As with all new installations, environmental safeguarding regulations are considered before permits are granted - in this case by NRW.

“The health board welcomed their invitation to comment. We're sure that considerations of public health will be taken into account in any decisions taken.”

NRW’s head of operations, John Hogg, added that NRW’s role is to regulate businesses and protect communities and the environment.

“When we consider any application we look at the potential impact it could have and consult with health specialists,” he said.

“As part of the permit determination we will consider all the information available to us before we make a final decision."

NRW are expected to release a decision on Hazrem’s permit later this year.