RESIDENTS attending a public meeting, focusing on efforts to stop a controversial wood waste incinerator operating on Barry dockland, have proposed an action plan.

Close to 50 people attended the Castleland Community Centre on Tuesday, March 14 to voice views and seek ways of stopping Biomass UK No.2 Ltd from operating a “gasification facility” at Woodham Road.

Government agency, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is undertaking a consultation on whether it will grant the licence necessary to operate the plant which already has planning approval.

The meeting was chaired by Plaid Cymru town councillor Shirley Hodges and attended by Vale AM Jane Hutt and Vale MP Alun Cairns’ representative Mel Owen.

Campaigner Alexis Liosatos said that the main issue for many was the "urban location" of the facility.

"It’s simply much too close to people," he said.

Mr Liosatos, 48, of Kingsland Crescent, said a dozen primary and infants schools, nurseries and the Ty Hafan hospice were among the facilities within a two kilometre radius.

He said: “Considering this affects the health of thousands of people, local data on the winds needs to be collected from Barry and analysed.

“Sunrise Renewables originally applied to run a continuously-burning incinerator in Barry. But now, Biomass UK intend to run a “stop/start” operation; firing up twice a day. The environmental impact upon Barry would be severe, because these “stop/start” operations are generally much more polluting.

He also said the one kilometre “fire risk circle” is exactly what it sounds like with highly flammable materials, such as woodchips, on site.

Campaigners suggested a cross-party contingent of politicians get involved and medical and meteorological experts be sought. They also discussed holding an awareness-raising march.

Natural Resources Wales operations manager Nadia De Longhi has said that the organisation was considering concerns and urged local residents and businesses to make representations on the application.

Comments can be sent to Natural Resources Wales Permitting Centre, Cambria House, 29 Newport Road, CF24 0TP or by email to permittingconsultations@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk by May 8.