THE Future Generations Commissioner will review environmental permitting in Wales - citing the Barry Biomass scheme as one causing public concern.

As previously reported by the Barry & District News, Biomass UK No.2 Ltd began a three-week commissioning process on Monday, February 12 following Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) decision to grant the ‘incinerator’/gasification facility an operating licence.

Commissioner, Sophie Howe wrote to NRW before NRW’s decision.

Ms Howe said she had been contacted about the Barry Biomass scheme and Hazrem waste treatment facility in Cwmfelinfach.

She said the Well-being of Future Generations Act did not give her the powers or resources to take action in every issue raised.

She said: “I have pledged to listen to concerns the public raise and to monitor these to detect any wider systemic issues in terms of how public bodies are applying the Well-being Future Generations Act.

“The approach NRW takes in their environmental permitting decisions has emerged as a common thread in the concerns raised to me by the public and local representatives.”

She added she was keen to ensure the Act was embedded in the work of public bodies and the process NRW followed in its approach to environmental permitting and licensing was consistent with the Act.

Chairwoman of NRW, Diane McCrea said they had met with the commissioner’s office to discuss how the Act applied in its duties, including its permitting processes.

She said: “We are committed to ongoing discussions on this matter.

“Our decision documents set out how we reach our conclusions, which involves extensive public consultation including with external bodies. We are happy to consider further how we apply the Wales legislation to our permitting processes and would welcome the commissioner’s advice and guidance in doing this. As permitting regulations are derived from EU law, we have asked Welsh Government to be part of that discussion as they are the legislator in Wales.”

An NRW spokeswoman said from an environmental permitting regulations perspective the site was not operating illegally.

Vale AM, Jane Hutt hailed the decision as a “breakthrough” and her representations and DIAG’s “had a direct impact”.

She said: “This will be welcomed by the residents of Barry and the Vale who feel that their concerns and evidence on public health and environmental impact of the Barry Biomass Incinerator have been ignored in the granting of a permit.”

South Wales Central AM, Andrew RT Davies welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement that it would insist an environmental impact assessment be carried out, but stressed nothing could be taken for granted.