A CAMPAIGNER who has fought against a proposed incinerator in Newport says there is a chance that the scheme can be stopped following the May elections.

Nowmost of the councils in the controversial Prosiect Gwyrdd consortium have changed hands, Rob Hepworth of Stop Newport Incinerator Campaign said there a “huge opportunity” to stop the proposed incinerator schemes in South Wales.

Prosiect Gwyrdd is looking for a contractor to process non-recyclable waste and is considering two proposals to build waste burners in Llanwern, Newport, and Cardiff.

But ruling administrations in Caerphilly, Newport, the Vale of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and Cardiff have all suffered blows - with either the Labour party winning a majority from the incumbents or with parties left with no overall control.

The Newport Labour group was vocally against the incinerator proposals while in opposition.

Mr Hepworth said: “As far as we’re concerned we look to the new Newport Labour council to deliver its promise, and to work with new councils in Caerphilly, Cardiff and the Vale to change P r o s i e c t Gwyrdd.”

He said there was a good possibility Prosiect Gwyrdd could be changed to look at alternatives to waste burners.

He said there were two objectives for campaigners in Newport – getting the council to turn down the planning application on the Llanwern proposal, and to modify the local development plan to exclude incineration.

“It’s a really optimistic climate,”

he said, adding: “I’m not complacent.

These companies will carry on.

They are used to getting into their armoured vehicles and taking the flak.”