Tip campaign group claims victory

The site is near the community centre in the village

Campaigners fighting to stop the removal of a former slate tip in the Nantlle Valley have claimed victory after planning permission was refused.

Residents at Talysarn near Penygroes in Gwynedd, maintained the 3.7acre site - which they call Hen Domen (or Old Tip) - was a haven for wildlife.

Gwynedd council needed the slate to cap the former waste tip at Cilgwyn, and also to make way for future housing.

A council spokesman said alternative sources of slate were being considered.

"We are happy, very happy, about it," said Save Gloddfa Glai chairman Allan Brotheridge.

"About 20 of us went along to watch the (council) meeting and we won after a very heated debate," he added.

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson confirmed the Arfon area planning committee rejected an application to remove the slate waste tip.

Permission to create access for vehicles to provide material for the restoration of the Cilgwyn landfill site and to release the land for development was also refused.

"The Council will be considering other local sources of slate waste before the capping work at Cilgwyn is undertaken," he added.