Residents take to streets in protest over quarry impact

RESIDENTS have protested over concerns about the impact of quarrying near their homes.

- ANTHONY LEWIS Local Democracy Reporter

On April 23 they marched from Glyncoch to Rhondda Cynon Taf’s council offices in Pontypridd in protest over operations at Craig yr Hesg quarry.

They are concerned about people's health and damage to their properties.

The quarry was supposed to cease all operations in 2022 but owner, Heidelberg Materials, applied to extend the site for another six years.

However, this was rejected by Rhondda Cynon Taf council (RCT) planners in 2022 after hundreds of objections citing the impact of blasting on residents’ health and wellbeing.

The company appealed the decision to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (Pedw) inspectors and Welsh Government ministers signed off on the controversial proposals in October 2022.

Ian Gibson, resident and campaigner, said there had been multiple protests, marches, debates in the Senedd and a couple of meetings with RCT over their concerns.

He said: “We've got to a point now that we think that they need to step up and realise that they're quoting regulations that are so far outdated. It’s why we've felt it’s so wrong.”

He said the regulations that had been used needed to be reviewed so they protected people, especially when the quarry was on their doorstep.

Mr Gibson mentioned the 1,000m buffer zone idea, which he said was lost by four votes in the Senedd the last time it was discussed there.