Action group anger at 'cheap pot shots'

Dec 4 2002 Special Report By Elgan Hearn, Bangor And Anglesey Mail

CONTROVERSY still surrounds the failed application to site the £25 million sewage plant on Holyhead's Penrhos Industrial Estate.

After a close vote, the Welsh Water application was rejected at Anglesey Council planning meeting last month.

Members of the Ynys Cybi Action Committee are angry that Holyhead councillors took "cheap pot shots" at them from the council floor, while discussing the project.

The action committee was accused by Cllr John Chorlton of only considering the interests of Llaingoch residents not the whole of Holyhead, especially as they successfully halted any plans by W elsh Water to site the sewage plant at the Breakwater Country Park.

Action committee members believe they should have been given the opportunity to answer the remarks made in the council chamber.

They believe that they have documentary evidence to show that the Penrhos Industrial Estate site was the only site given consideration by the utility company for at least a year before last month's vote.

Councillors who have campaigned against the Penrhos site have denied any knowledge of these plans, saying that they only came to their knowledge in May this year.

Action committee secretary Iris Thomas said: " We are concerned at the misinformation and misrepresentation concerning the proposed sewage works in Holyhead, and we wish to bring all the facts out in the open.

"Everyone is agreed that Holyhead needs a sewage treatment works.

"Millions of pounds worth of investment depends on this decision being implemented speedily." There is a statutoryrequirement for it to be up and running by April 2005, and penalties will be implemented if it is not.

" Welsh Water made every effort through 2001 to ensure that they consulted widely with county, community and town councillors, and this can be supported by documentary evidence, we have minuted all meetings with Welsh Water and the documentation is available to any one interested," added Iris.

The action committee believes that Anglesey County Council's director of planning has been consistent in recognising the plant is best built in an area where similar buildings are located.

The proposal forms part of the latest Unitary Development Plan approved by the council.

Iris continued: "The director of planning stated that he could not support the planning committee'srejection of the proposed Penrhos site, believing that there was no issue which could be used to support an appeal."

The action committee believes that if Welsh W ater were to appeal against the planning decision, they would be entitled to compensation - which would have to be paid through council tax.

Iris said the appeal process would be lengthy, delaying the much-needed infrastructure of the town,

" We have taken the view that we should not dictate any location, but that a site should not interfere with heritage or quality of life of residents. The council clearly thinks that the Penrhos site is the most suitable, and this can be seen in the Unitary Development Plan.

"Everyone wants a more prosperous Holyhead."