CONTROVERSY turned to chaos during a Vale council meeting when a noxious substance was emptied into the room after plans for a Barry ash burning plant were approved.

A member of public emptied what may have been Incinerator Bottom Ash into the council chambers during a planning meeting last week, in response to the committee's decision to approve plans for an ash burning plant on Wimborne Road, Barry docks.

The plant, which will process Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) brought in from Cardiff, will burn 350,000 tonnes of waste a year resulting in the production of 75,000 tonnes of IBA.

The plant will operate between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Local residents, environmental groups, Barry Town Council, MP Alun Cairns and regional AM Andrew RT Davies have all expressed opposition to the plans whic have now been given the go ahead.

Among the chief concerns of local groups are the question over the toxicity of the ash being produced at the plant.

Speaking after the decision a member of the Barry and Vale Friends of the Earth group called the plans "environmental madness".

Group co-ordinator Keith Stockdale said: "Along with local residents, we will continue to oppose these schemes which threaten to spread toxic ash waste over the dock's waters, over the Waterfront, over the town and over Dow Corning's nature reserve.

"An Incinerator and Toxic Ash Dump would be environmental madness and destruction on a large scale, ignoring evidence, democracy, local people and elected representatives at all levels."

During the meeting a membe of the public gallery emptied a substance into the room before being asked to leave. The incident is being referred to South Wales Police by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Rob Thomas, Managing Director of the Vale Council said: “The Vale Council welcomes and encourages public attendance at all of its council, cabinet and committee meetings.

“Hundreds of our residents attend these meetings each year and are able to see local decision making in action. This was an isolated incident and the behaviour of this member of the public was very disappointing.

“The Vale of Glamorgan Council has a duty of care to members who sit on planning committee, officers who attend the committee, and all those with an interest in the proceedings whether they be members of the public, objectors or supporters of schemes.

“To ensure that all those who attend public meetings in the Vale are able to do so without fear of harassment or intimidation security arrangements at future meetings are currently being reviewed and this incident has been referred to South Wales Police for investigation.”