Pollution fears over Llansamlet waste incinerator plans

Concerns about the incinerator's proximity to local schools have been raised

People living near a site where a waste incinerator could be built say "the only real escape" from pollution would be to move away if plans are approved.

Swansea council's planning committee has been recommended to approve the proposal in Llansamlet.

But more than 2,500 objection letters were sent in a public consultation, with locals raising health concerns.

Waste management firm Biffa said pollution levels would be below those set by UK air quality standards.

The incinerator, which would replace an unused warehouse on Swansea Enterprise Park, would process 21,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste that would otherwise go to landfill in Merthyr Tydfil, according to Biffa.

Wayne Bellamy and his family live near the planned site

A campaign group, Llansamlet Residents Against Biffa Incinerator, has been set up amid concerns over air pollution, and its proximity to schools and a nature reserve.

Wayne Bellamy, who lives nearby with his wife and young daughters - one of whom is asthmatic - said he believed the incinerator would be "very bad for people's health".

He also said the plumes would "drop directly" on his house about 150m (500ft) away from the site and on a nearby school.

• How can this incinerator power more than 20,000 homes?

• Incinerator plan to heat city buildings

"The only real escape for people here is to actually move," he said.

"We are in a bit of a basin here where all the pollution comes and stays."

The Welsh Government declined to call in the proposal for the incinerator and said Swansea council should decide.

The incinerator would be situated on Swansea Enterprise Park

Councillors will be told in a report by their officials, to be considered on Tuesday, that the location is "acceptable in principle within an established commercial and industrial area".

Biffa said the incinerator would create about 10 construction jobs, and 15 full-time jobs.

The planning officers' report said the proposals had shown it "would not result in any significant environmental or human health impacts".

Council officials said that despite "significant concerns" about air quality and health, both the local health board and Swansea council's Pollution Control Division felt it would not have "any significant impacts" on these issues.