THE developer of a project which will see a new community built to the east of Newport said it’s pleased a proposed incinerator failed to get planning permission.

Nick Alexander, of St Modwen, said a waste burner at Llanwern Steelworks would have hit the alreadyunder construction Glan Llyn development, with pollution and increased heavy goods traffic.

Newport council planning committee refused Veolia planning permission for an incinerator on the site, amid concerns nearby Glan Llyn could be turned into a “ghost estate”.

However, the firm can appeal and is still bidding for the Prosiect Gwyrd dwaste scheme.

Mr Alexander said the firm, which had objected to the application, was “obviously pleased” with the committee’s decision, “especially when other strategic sites in South Wales have been identified, which we believe are better placed to accommodate such a facility”.

He said the company shared some “real concerns”

about the proximity of the proposed incinerator to Glan Llyn.

“Increased levels of heavy goods vehicle movements and noise pollution would have affected our plans to develop 4,000 new homes, schools as well retail and leisure space and a business park at the scheme,” he said.

He said the first phase of housing, currently being built by Persimmon, would clearly benefit from the committee’s decision.

“Our 20-year project creating this new community will bring many new investment opportunities to the city and create up to 6,000 much-needed jobs for local people through the regeneration process,” he said.

Persimmon begun building the first 307 homes at Glan Llyn in September. The project is expected to provide 4,000 homes, 6,000 jobs, two schools, a community centre, leisure facilities and a business park.