Local MP Alun Cairns statement on the Barry Incinerator.
As many will be aware, I have been a longstanding opponent of the incinerator in Barry and continue to challenge the related issues as they arise.
That’s why I have written to NRW to express deep concerns with the permit application being undertaken by JM Envirofuels (Barry) Ltd to vary their existing standard rules permit to a bespoke permit.
The Docks Incinerator Action Group (DIAG) and local residents have pointed out significant flaws in the planning process, which raise concerns about the way in which the application consideration is being carried out by the National Resources Wales, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Welsh Government.
DIAG have also highlighted regulations that should apply to Barry Biomass but have instead been overlooked to date. This includes the 2016 regulation which classifies energy generation projects in Wales capable of producing more than 10 MW of electricity as being of National Significance.
Once operational, the Barry Biomass plant is fully expected to produce more than 10MW of electricity. If this is the case, the planning application submitted to the Vale of Glamorgan Council in 2017 and a proposed public consultation on the environmental impacts by the Welsh Government are now potentially invalid.
This is something that NRW must be taking into consideration. Any further work on the current planning proposal should be halted until a new application is submitted for Welsh Government Officials to consider.
I am currently awaiting a response from NRW and will update constituents in due course.