Thousands oppose plans for recycling plant at former quarry

Richard Youle, local democracy reporter

Plans for a rubble and soil recycling plant at a former quarry, which are opposed by more than 2,000 people, have been recommended for approval.

Carmarthenshire Council planning officers said the proposals for Cilyrychen Quarry, Llandybie, near Ammanford, had a number of potential impacts. But they said that mitigation measures proposed by the applicant, combined with planning conditions, would greatly reduce “the likelihood of significant impacts”.

Their report will be discussed by the council planning committee at a meeting on August 15.

As well as importing rubble and soil for recycling and processing, applicant Dolawen Cyf wants to remove materials deposited at two areas of the quarry as part of previous operations which took place there, but it said these materials would be removed mechanically rather than being blasted out. Dolawen Cyf has indicated that the total amount of material both brought in and removed from the quarry would not exceed 50,000 tonnes per year.

Wildlife

A campaign group called Save Cilyrychen Quarry is among those objecting to the plans. It said the quarry was in a sensitive location, home to wildlife including falcons, bats, and dormice, and a popular area for recreation and tourism.

Dolawen Cyf’s application has prompted 147 objections and a petition of objection signed by 2,073 people. Two community councils have objected or raised concerns about increased HGV traffic, and impact on neighbouring properties and a nearby special area of conservation. Statutory consultees such as Natural Resources Wales have not objected.

The planning report cited potential road, dust, vibration, ecological and visual impacts, among other things, but said mitigation and compensation measures – such as new planting and landscaping – were considered to be acceptable. The quarry basin is filled with water, and a plan by Dolawen Cyf to reduce the water level has been withdrawn.

The proposed new recycling facility would consist of different operating areas, including a rubble storage area which is partially screened by a bund – or mound. This bund is just 35 metres from two residential homes which cater for people with learning difficulties. The plan is to increase the height of the bund and plant trees on it.

Another part of the recycling site would be the aggregates processing area, which would be 120 metres from houses on Penpound Lane but closer to their gardens. The planning report said thick scrub and trees separated the homes from the proposed processing area.

It also said that more recycling and processing of rubble and soil was needed in Wales – despite the South West Wales region meeting a 90% target – and that disused quarries were possible locations for this activity subject to criteria being met.

Speaking in 2021 when the plans were made public, Penpound Lane residents Garry and Julie Morgan said they were worried about the impact on property values, noise and dust in dry weather. Another resident, Ruth Davies, said there would be “no days off” for Llandybie if operations at the site took place seven days per week.

The planning report said work wouldn’t take place on Sundays or bank holidays, and that the crushing and screening plant would have slightly shorter hours than the rest of the site.