Once again it is time to let you know what has been happening about Castle Cement’s application to build a new 361 ft. high tower to burn toxic wastes at Padeswood.

* The Public Inquiry ended on January 10th.  Thank you very much to all of you who came to listen to the proceedings.  We are sure you will have found the evidence presented very interesting, and that of Castle Cement at times most perturbing.  The Inspector has visited all the Castle Cement sites in the country and is now writing his report.

* First of all the assessor, Mr Tester, will write his report.  He will then give it to the Inspector, Mr Vaughan, who will then complete his report.  Mr Vaughan has said that this may be ready at the end of April or in May.  This will then be checked by the civil servants in Cardiff for legalities etc. and sent back to him for signing.  It could be the summer before the report is made public.

* Once the report is public it will be placed before a planning committee in Cardiff who will make the final decision.  The members of this panel will not be representatives of this area and must not have any interest in any way in Castle Cement.  There are also rules about lobbying that they must keep to.

* In the meantime Castle Cement lost a case at the High Court in London, where they had applied to have Cemfuel reclassified as a fuel rather than a hazardous waste.  Mr Justice Burnton gave a 30-page judgement in which he said that Cemfuel was indeed a hazardous waste.  Castle Cement has been ordered to pay all the High Court costs, including those of the Environment Agency who opposed them.  These costs are very substantial.

* Castle Cement are now engaged upon an aggressive propaganda campaign and have employed an expensive  public relations company.  They are distributing glossy leaflets, which distort the facts and vilify the opposition to the kiln.  No doubt you have received some of these leaflets through your door.  Once again they are spending vast sums of money in an attempt to push through their application.

* The Campaign Against the New Kiln does not wish to indulge in such ‘spin’ and blatant propaganda.  We have produced a summary of the evidence presented at the Inquiry for those who wish to read it.  Copies are available at the Post Office.  There is a small charge to cover the cost of printing.  We intend to circulate these to Members of the Welsh Assembly and other interested parties.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW!!

* It is very important that the National Assembly for Wales knows how strongly residents feel about this proposal.  It should know very clearly that you do not want the kiln to be built.  You should now tell the Assembly about the strength of local feeling.

The Public Inquiry is over but our opposition to the kiln must continue.  The Inquiry was only the first stage in what could be a lengthy fight to keep toxic wastes out of our area and to prevent the visual degradation that the kiln would bring.

The Inquiry proved to be very expensive.  However with a great deal of help from the community, individuals, and independent local companies concerned about their employees we have been able to embark on the campaign.  But there is still a long way to go in our fight.

We do need to replenish our funds and must begin to fund raise again.  If anyone would like to make a donation we would be very grateful.  Many residents have already been very generous but if each household could afford something to help, the pressure of costs would be considerably eased.

To make a donation either; take it to 30 Hawarden Road, Penyffordd or send a cheque to CANK, PO Box 3040 CHESTER CH4 0WH.
 

MAKE A DONATION TO THE FIGHTING FUND.

WRITE TO RHODRI MORGAN TELLING HIM THAT THE RESIDENTS OF THIS AREA DO NOT WANT A 361FT. HIGH KILN BURNING TOXIC WASTES TO BE ALLOWED IN NORTH EAST WALES.
 
 

Rhodri Morgan, First Minister, National Assembly for Wales
Cathays Park, CARDIFF CF10 3NQ