LAST Thursday I attended the public meeting on Varteg opencast proposals, organised by Torfaen Council.

I went determined to listen to people’s views, and followed that up with an advice surgery of my own over the weekend so that Varteg residents could discuss any concerns with me in private.

Last year an amended planning application for Varteg was submitted by Glamorgan Power.

It builds on plans rejected by the council in 2010 and by the Welsh Government in late 2013 after a public inquiry.

This application is practically identical to the one which has been looming for 12 years.

I have been a longstanding campaigner against the development.

My concerns now, as previously, are the proximity of the proposed development to residents' homes and Ysgol Bryn Onnen; as well as concerns about the impact on surrounding communities such as Blaenavon as a World Heritage Site and the impact of numerous trucks transporting coal via local roads.

As the local AM, however, I will always listen to the views of all residents.

I recently met with residents in support of the application, at their request, to ensure their views are heard and I am following up some of the issues they raised with me.

The latest developments are that CADW and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) have objected and recommend the application be refused – mainly due to its impact on the UNESCO World Heritage Site Status that the community worked so hard to obtain. I’ve been in contact with these organisations to seek their views and wrote to them formally last year after arranging a site visit – their intervention is very welcome news for those who feel strongly against the opencast proposal.

It is clear that both sides of the argument want the best for Varteg and I think it’s time we looked at the possibility of alternative schemes that would provide a satisfactory solution for all involved.

I want to engage residents on both sides on what a plan could look like; aiming to bring to an end 12 years of repeated applications and consultations for residents.

With the application still ongoing, I will be submitting my comments to the council by March 11, as I have done with previous consultations and I will continue to raise my concerns going forward.

If anyone would like a copy of either or would like to raise any issues with me, please contact my office on 01495 740022 or Lynne.Neagle@assembly.wales.