PEOPLE opposing Biomass UK No 1 Ltd's application for a permit to operate its gasification plant in Barry gathered in the town centre on Saturday.

Around 300 residents and politicians congregated on King Square at 12pm to make their voices heard in what was the second demonstration in a week.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is holding a public consultation which, at the time of going to press, is scheduled to end in May.

Welsh Government First Minister, Carwyn Jones wrote to NRW asking if the consultation date could be extended as residents told him they felt there was not enough time for the campaign to find evidence to support the view to refuse the licence.

The protest, lasting two hours, finished at the Civic Offices in Holton Road following a march through the town.

Speakers against the application included campaigners, resident Alex Liasatos and Friends of the Earth’s Max Wallis, Independent councillor, Richard Bertin, Labour councillor Pam Drake, Plaid councillor Nic Hodges, and prospective councillors Conservative, Rachel Nugent-Finn and Independent, Ade Pitman.

Plaid AM Neil McEvoy also spoke against the proposal.

Plaid councillor Ian Johnson, who was on the march, said: "There were hundreds of people on King Square and on the march down Holton Road, peacefully protesting against the biomass gasification plant being built on Barry Docks that will burn hundreds of tonnes of wood every day.

"I hope that Natural Resources Wales will listen to the people of Barry and reject the licence application."