AN INQUIRY into the future of a waste recycling plant in Caerphilly county borough has started with Hollywood actor, Michael Sheen, among objectors.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) originally rejected an environmental permit application for Hazrem Environmental’s facility at Nine Mile Point Industrial Estate in January this year.

Following a public consultation, NRW ruled it could cause negative health effects but recently made a u-turn on the decision after receiving "extra technical information" from the waste firm.

The Lower Sirhowy Valley Residents’ Group (LSVRG) – who have opposed the plant since it was granted planning permission in 2015 – called for a public inquiry on the appeal which started at Blackwood Rugby Club today.

The inquiry will decide if the firm can start its waste recycling process which involves releasing emissions from the burning of natural gas.

While the refuse is burned off-site, residents believe expected HGV traffic increases will affect the health of residents due to increases in Nitrogen Dioxide.

A NRW solicitor, at the inquiry, said that traffic issues were "material planning considerations" and were not relevant to the inquiry's purpose on deciding a permit.

But witness Dr Claire Holman, called by the LSVRG, said data based on the firm's emissions output on-site only, should not be viewed in isolation due to wider public health risks.

Welsh actor Michael Sheen agreed, by way of written statement, citing a history of respiratory illness in the area that could be worsened by HGV emissions.

He also expressed fears over "temperature inversion” which involves emissions being trapped by the cold air of the valley, with around 150 instances happening a year.

While acknowledging the "opportunities" for new industry and employment in valleys affected by the decline of the coal industry, he said that "can't blind us to the risks they may pose" to the "health and well being of communities".

Islwyn’s AM, Rhianon Passmore, commenting via written statement, questioned the sustainability of the plant and added increased air pollution could lead to a “net loss of jobs” if employers adjacent to the plant, "who need air as to not contaminate their various industrial processes", decide to relocate.

She also said new figures, provided by Hazrem, were not comparable with the original Air Quality Assessment and called for the appeal to be rejected until more accurate flow rates and concentrations could be provided.

Representatives for Hazrem, in opening arguments, said NRW were “right to reach their conclusion” over the u-turn and stressed that there had been no breach of air quality standards.

When questioned, air quality consultant and witness for Hazrem, Laurence Caird, said industrial permit applications are site-specific and do not take into account traffic contribution.

Former Ynysddu councillor, Jan Jones, also spoke at the meeting reading the names of people in her former ward affected by respiratory illnesses from asthma to cystic fibrosis.

“You will hear a lot of dry legal terms and statistics today but these are the people who make up the statistics,” she said.

“What are you going to tell them if this factory gets a permit?”

The inquiry continues.