Fight opencast plan to the end (From South Wales Argus)

Fight opencast plan to the end

3:30pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Letters

THE inspector’s report on the opencast mining appeal by Glamorgan Power on Varteg Hill will set an important precedent for all future mining applications throughout Wales. WAG guidelines (MTAN’s) say no mining can take place within 500m of the site boundary. Glamorgan Power wants to opencast within 90m of Bryn Onnen School, deliberately contravening them. If it wins this appeal the school will close, forcing staff redundancies, destroying the environment and threatening local tourism.

Scientific reports cite the severe risks posed to health by the dust and noise caused by mining activities near dwellings. These harmful invisible particles can be blown several miles downwind, affecting Pontypool and beyond.

Act NOW to protect future generations from this catastrophe. Go online; see how Ffos y Fran residents (near Merthyr) are suffering. The inspector who allowed that appeal was the very same who is minded to accept the Varteg appeal; yet it’s even being kept secret from our own democratically elected Welsh Assembly Members. We urge you to go on Facebook and Twitter to make John Griffiths publish this crucial report, since it will affect the Eastern Valley.

Miss Barr, The Landings Abersychan