Objections fail to halt new tip

Protesters had lobbied councillors at previous meetings

A plan for a new rubbish tip in Gwynedd has been given the go-ahead, despite local objections.

The tip at Llwyn Isa, near Clynnog Fawr, will deal with about 500 tonnes of household waste each year.

Local councillor Owain Williams said the decision had angered residents who felt they had been ignored.

Gwynedd Council needed to find a new site following a decision by the Environment Agency to close the present tip at Cilgwyn next year.

"I am very disappointed, especially so for the people who live in the area," Mr Williams told BBC Radio Cymru.

A letter has gone to the ombudsman to complain about how things have been done here Owain Williams, councillor

Mr Williams said he was disappointed by the whole planning process.

"We have had a tip here before, for 20 years, and we were told that at the end of that time that would be that, as this is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

"A letter has gone to the ombudsman to complain about how things have been done here," he added.

In his report to councillors, Gruffydd Wyn Morris, the chief planning officer for the Dwyfor area, said "full consideration" had been given to the [residents'] objections.

He said objections had been made on the grounds of "cost of the development and the reduction in property values," but these were not "planning matters".

"From assessing all planning considerations, it is believed that there are no grounds to justify refusing the planning permission in this case," he added.

In addition, Mr Morris noted that the Llwyn Isa site was already in use as a waste transfer station and that 90,000 tonnes of sand and gravel would be excavated before the new tip could open.

Access would be mostly along a purpose-built transport road through the nearby Cefn Graianog quarry site, he added.

Gwyn Morris Jones, head of Gwynedd Council's highways and municipal services, said the decision would mean the council could dispose of waste within the county.

"We appreciate the concerns that have been raised by residents living near Llwyn Isaf, and the local councillor, and will be working hard to address these concerns during the development and operation of this new facility," he added.