THE organisation responsible for overseeing and maintaining natural resources in Wales is to face questions around why it withdrew its objection against a controversial recycling plant.

Although Natural Resources Wales (NRW) refused to grant an environmental permit for the site in Nine Mile Point Industrial Estate in Cwmfelinfach in January over concerns around pollution, this was withdrawn after applicants Hazrem Environmental lodged an appeal.

And earlier this week the application was granted by a government inspector.

Now the Welsh Government's environment minister Hannah Blythyn is to demand answers from NRW around why it withdrew its objection.

The organisation has previously said it had been provided with information it had not seen when it made its original objection.

The announcement came after Islwyn's MP Chris Evans and AM Rhianon Passmore, both of whom had campaigned against the application, met with Ms Blythyn to discuss their concerns earlier today.

In a joint statement the pair said: "We expressed our very serious concerns that NRW had withdrawn their opposition to the site based on suspiciously revised pollution data provided by Hazrem and the manufacturer of their equipment.

"This data has not been independently verified and, given that it has changed so dramatically from the original submission, should not be the basis for a decision that could substantially impact the health and wellbeing of residents and future generations in an area where there is already evidence of ill health and a vulnerable population."

They also claimed concerns of residents appeared to have been disregarded.

"It seems clear that the community voice, which spoke loudly against this plant, has been totally ignored in a callous dismissal of their very real concerns," they said.

"Residents are not only worried for their health, and that of their children, but also the negative effect this waste plant will have on their house prices.

"The minister has agreed to call in NRW to ask them why they did not defend, at appeal, their original decision to reject the environmental permit."

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “In light of the local concern about this site, the minister will be meeting NRW to discuss the circumstances leading up to the issue of the environmental permit and how NRW will ensure that the health of local communities is protected.”

As an environmental permit for the facility has been granted the appeal process is now closed and cannot be re-opened.

John Wheadon, permitting service manager from Natural Resources Wales, said: “During the Public Inquiry we provided the Inspector with a written statement which clearly explained how we assessed the information within the original permit application and the new information that the applicant provided when they appealed our decision.

“The Planning Inspectorate found that our evidence was both robust and reliable and convincingly demonstrated that the facility can operate without significant harm to the health of people in the area.

“Following the direction from the Planning Inspectorate an environmental permit was issued to Hazrem Environmental Limited on 14th December 2017.

“We also understand that we likely to receive an invitation to a meeting with the Minster in the New Year. We would welcome this opportunity to explain our approach and discuss in detail the strict conditions we have placed within the permit and how we will effectively monitor the site.”