Petitions Committee told Environment Agency “minded to refuse” application on the discharge of sewage into the Nant Cylla.

The Petitions Committee of the National Assembly for Wales took evidence from the Environment Agency in relation to the petition against Redrow Homes’ application to discharge sewage into the Nant Cylla in Ystrad Mynach yesterday. During the meeting, Gareth O'Shea, Dai Walters, Rob Whittaker from the Environment Agency told AMs that the Agency is minded to refuse the application, in line with its policy.

The Committee also took oral evidence from the petitioners in relation to the North Torfaen Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre, from Blaenavon Leisure and Swimming Troubleshooters (BLAST). Following the presentation from Mrs Claire Higgins, Mr Gary Philips and Mr John Bevan, the Committee agreed to write to Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM and to Leighton Andrews AM, Deputy Minister for Regeneration, to clarify whether any funding would be available under the Heads of the Valleys initiative to support the proposals of the petitioners, and to request Torfaen County Borough Council not to take any action until the committee has had an opportunity to consider the Ministers’ responses.  

A new petition from the Royal Society of Chemistry Calling for the Immediate Appointment by the Welsh Assembly Government of a Chief Scientific Advisor was also considered and the committee agreed to write to the Welsh Assembly Government to clarify why a recommendation of the 2nd Assembly’s Economic Development Committee’s recommendation that a Chief Scientific Advisor should be appointed was rejected.

There was also an update on previous petitions: Members agreed to invite Ysgol Gyfun Garth-Olwg to give evidence to the Committee at the next meeting in relation to their petition against the changing of the school’s name from Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen; and in relation to the petition on the Miners’ Welfare Ground, Ty Du, Nelson agreed to pursue whether land owned by the Welsh Assembly Government can be passed back to local community ownership, and recommend to Ministers that the planning application for the land be considered against the criteria for call-in.

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