Max Thomas Case Officer Wales Planning Inspectorate Date

Max Thomas Case Officer Wales Planning Inspectorate

Date/ Dyddiad: 17 November 2020 My Ref/ Fy Nghyf: AM10289

Dear / Annwyl Mr Thomas,

Re: Môr Biopower development, DNS/3236340 I am writing to lodge my objection in respect of the above planning application to the proposal from Môr Hafren Bio Power to build a waste incinerator at land off Newlands Road, Wentloog, Cardiff.

Though this planning application is outside my constituency of Cardiff North, the development will have an impact on Cardiff North residents, and has adverse implications for people living in the City and more widely. Constituents have been in touch with me to raise their very serious concerns about the impact of this development, and I am in agreement with these concerns.

I am concerned that approval of this proposal will damage exiting obligations in respect of policies relating to climate change. Existing incinerators in the UK have generated more than 11 million tonnes of CO2. A further installation of this nature, producing in the region of 650 tonnes of CO2 per day, is incompatible with the declaration of the Welsh Government of a Climate Emergency insofar that it would help prevent reaching the pledge of carbon neutrality by 2030.

I am further concerned that the construction and deployment of this facility will have a damaging impact on the health of residents. I understand that projections of the smoke plume from the chimney show nitrous oxide released at ground level, and a 30% increase in concentration to surrounding areas given the combined impact of two other local incinerators - and is likely to cause a significant detriment to health to residents across all parts of Cardiff, a matter of even greater concern given the presence of current viruses which particularly attack respiratory systems. There is widespread recognition of the need to improve health outcomes, approval of this installation would contribute to the reverse effect. Given the incinerators currently in operation not far distant in Splott, Cardiff, and Barry, a concentration of this nature with its impact on health concerns would be unjustifiable.

There is no need for this facility given current overcapacity in the incineration market, potentially necessitating the import of waste from outside the local area, creating local harm for no benefit to the local community.

My constituents are of the view that consultations on this application have only been partial and have not fully taken into account the concerns of residents, including those in Cardiff North.

This proposal is clearly inconsistent with the Welsh Government obligations under the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, and the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Anna McMorrin MP/ AS Constituency Office / Swyddfa'r Etholaeth: 2 Codas House, 52-60 Merthyr Road/ Heol Merthyr, Whitchurch/ Yr Eglwys Newydd, Cardiff / Caerdydd CF14 1DJ | Tel/ Ffôn: Parliamentary Office / Swyddfa Seneddol: House of Commons/ Tŷ'r Cyffredin, London/ Llundain, SW1 0AA

Twitter: @AnnaMcMorrin | Facebook:

I further concur with the Chairs of the Senedd Health and Environment Committees that there should be a wider moratorium on building these facilities, which further lock us into outdated and unsustainable technology for decades.

I would request that you fully take note of these concerns and those of my constituents during consideration of this application.

Yours sincerely/ Yn gywir,

Anna McMorrin MP/AS Member of Parliament for Cardiff North Aelod Seneddol dros Ogledd Caerdydd