AN INQUIRY into the future of a contentious waste recycling plant in Caerphilly county borough opened today, with Newport-born actor Michael Sheen among objectors.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) originally rejected an environmental permit application for Hazrem Environmental’s facility at Nine Mile Point Industrial Estate back in January this year.Following a public consultation regarding the plant, NRW ruled it could have a negative effect on local peoples’ health.

But following a Hazrem appeal, NRW overturned the initial decision, saying the company “included extra technical information that wasn’t previously included in their application”.

The Lower Sirhowy Valley Residents’ Group (LSVRG) – who have opposed the plant since it was granted planning permission in 2015 – called for a public inquiry on the appeal.

More than 100 people including residents, objectors and speakers packed into Blackwood Rugby Club as the two-day inquiry officially launched today.

Although NRW are not formally submitting arguments, solicitor Roger Tunstall gave an overview of the environmental organisation’s position.

He said that issues surrounding proposed increases in HGV traffic by the site were “material planning considerations” and would not be relevant to the inquiry’s purpose of determining a permit.

The inquiry heard that Public Health Wales and Aneurin Bevan University Health board, who previously expressed concerns over air pollution, are now satisfied with Hazrem’s draft permit.

NRW also stressed that they had given a “thorough” assessment of the application and allowed a full public consultation to take place.

Representatives for Hazrem, in opening arguments, said NRW were “right to reach their conclusion” and stressed that there had been no breach of air quality standards.

LSVRG’s legal reps added that potential rises in Nitrogen Dioxide should not be considered in a “vacuum” and that inspectors should look at the “bigger picture” in terms of increased traffic.

Several objectors have submitted comments at the inquiry so far including former councillors, scientists and Welsh actor and activist Michael Sheen.

A statement, read on behalf of Mr Sheen, described the “circumstances” of the Hazrem permit and background as “disturbing indeed”.

He said that due to the industrial history of the area, there is a trend of respiratory illness which could be worsened by increased levels of Nitrogen Dioxide caused by HGV traffic.

The actor also expressed fears over ‘temperature inversion” which involves emissions being trapped by the cold air of the valley and explained at least 150 instances happen a year in the area.

While acknowledging the need for industry and employment in the area, he said this “can’t blind us to the risks to the health and wellbeing of communities”.

A statement read out on behalf of Islwyn’s AM, Rhianon Passmore, also questioned the sustainability of the waste recycling plant and its methods of transporting refuse.

She added that increased air pollution could lead to a “net loss of jobs” if employers adjacent to the plant decide to leave so the “pollution doesn’t affect their industrial processes”.

Former Ynysddu councillor, Jan Jones, also spoke at the meeting reading the names of people in her former ward affected by respiratory illnesses from asthma to cystic fibrosis.

“You will hear a lot of dry legal terms and statistics today but these are the people who make up the statistics,” she said.

“What are you going to tell them if this factory gets a permit?”

The inquiry continues this afternoon.