A REPORT has identified “major” air quality issues in relation to a proposed thermal waste treatment plant in Portskewett.

The air quality review by Air Quality Consultants was tasked to analyse information provided to support the controversial application by Bristol-based firm DPS Solutions Ltd.

It focuses on the potential impacts of the development on the surrounding area and whether the scope of the assessment, produced by WYG Planning and Environment, was sufficient.

If approved by Monmouthshire County Council, which commissioned the review, two chimneys would be built at Severn Bridge Industrial Estate which could process 20,000 tonnes of non-metal car parts per year.

But the review found that the assessment did not specify procedures that would be in place in varying states of operation.

“No allowance for start-up, shutdown or abnormal operating conditions has been provided,” it read.

“Facilities, such as this one, are required to include generators to provide emergency power and are also used to provide the initial power during the facility start-up process.

“Emissions released from generators have the potential to impact upon air quality in the local area, even when only operated for short periods, and should be assessed.”

It also found that it failed to disclose all relevant pollutants and an odour assessment, or take into account off-site emissions from vehicles visiting the site.

The findings of the report were discussed at a meeting of the county council’s Severnside committee on Wednesday, with Cllr Alan Davies describing the application as “extraordinary” in its current state.

The member for Green Lane said: “I’ve managed a plant that had some emission issues and we had to have very close control over what we emitted, like dioxins, so I have grave doubts about how much experience they (DPS) have got.”

Environmental health officer Paul White told the meeting that he had rejected two permit applications by DPS due to a lack of – or contradicting – information and that the applicants have until November 3 to remedy that.

The planning application, which the meeting heard could take “several more months to resolve”, has attracted nearly 250 objections since June.