Controversial plans to expand a sandstone quarry near Gelligaer are being discussed with residents and nearby businesses.
A pre-application consultation to expand the 6.8 hectare quarry at Gelliargwellt Uchaf Farm has been launched and will end on August 8.
Alun Price, managing director at Bryn Group, which runs the site, said: “Our proposals would extend the quarry by a maximum 131 metres at the north east and south east faces, exceeding the minimum buffer zone stated in both the county local development plan and significantly better than the Welsh Government guidance.
“Importantly, we are not proposing any increase in the intensity of quarrying, which means there wouldn’t be any increased frequency of blasting, the daily number of lorry movements or our working hours.”
The plans have drawn opposition from Caerphilly’s Senedd Member Hefin David, as well as the three councillors representing the St Cattwg ward, where the quarry is based.
Dr David said: “I’ve written to the council to oppose the publicised pre-application. The council have written back to me to say they haven’t received any application at this point, and that any pre-application is actually with the private company itself, so the council hasn’t received anything at all.
“If this comes to a public planning stage, then I’m going to step up my opposition and work with the community to oppose it.
“There’s already far too much going on – it’s a very busy site that’s causing misery for residents. The dust nuisance is causing problems in both Gelligaer and Penybryn, and there are other long-standing complaints that come from the site.
“This is a step too far and must be opposed.”
St Cattwg councillor Ann Gair said: “Myself and the other councillors in the ward (Cllr Carmen Bezzina and Cllr Wynne David) are with our residents on this, because as a councillor I have so many complaints from that site.
“The quarry is coming ever closer to the houses. People have to put up with the dust, the noise, the blasting, the traffic and the heavy vehicles back and forth there. We would certainly oppose any extension to that quarry.”
Bryn Group managing director Mr Price added: “We urge local people to ask questions and engage with the process. We are aware of a vocal group who are opposed to quarrying at Gelliargwellt Uchaf, and there has been a great deal of misinformation and rumours circulating.
“We welcome representations and feedback from anyone who might be affected by the quarry.
“We are especially keen to work with local elected representatives, so they can help their constituents understand what is being proposed and form opinions based on facts and data.”
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I am a resident in Penybryn and don’t need help ‘ understanding’ the proposed expansion. We already suffer with noise, dust and smell from the current organisation, can’t see how making it bigger is going to help us!
Apparently the vibration levels from the blasting are within legal limits, if that’s the case then maybe these limits need to be revised as I have cracks appearing all over my house and drive.
The residents of surrounding areas have complained endlessly to CCBC and NRW about the noise, dust and smell but have never been supported.
Hundreds of letters of complaints have been sent and have been ‘lost’.
We have video and photographic evidence spanning 15 years! We need help to stop this expansion. Enough is enough.
Mr. Price is “urging people to engage” only because any major expansion demands that he engages with the residents and anyone this application may affect not because he wants to consider the local community.
If residents do engage with the agents this will only give the Group time to counteract any questions put forward.
If there will be no more intensity to the quarrying why do they need to come any closer to houses?
G
Bryn Group regularly flout the conditions of their licences and CCBC do not monitor this site very well. There is only a perfunctory telephone call to the site to inform them that CCBC have received numerous complaints of noise from early morning until well into the evening.
The fact that they’re plans go against Caerphilly’s local development plan and Welsh government guidance speaks volumes! They have no regard or respect for communities or regulations!
As a pensioner, it is an absolute disgrace that this is even being considered at a time when many of us have anxieties about covid 19 and this is really adding to stress levels. Have the owners no concern for peoples health and wellbeing and particularly young children…..there is a school on very close proximity. Surely the head teachers and governors are up in arms….but of course meetings to discuss these cant be held at this time. ALL councillors should be opposed to this. This valley is only just recovering from 150 years of coal mining….the valley has become green once again…..Please look at your consciences and realise the cruelty and injustice of this proposal. Come on caerphilly council….this will continue if not stopped now. Do something right and do not let it go ahead. Think of future generations…..
Absolute joke. Questions are answered with lies. Evidence is brushed aside. To witness a farmer who is suppose to care for the countryside destroy the countryside is heartbreaking. Bryn Quarry have a total disregard for anything except money. It’s time CCBC represented and listened to the people. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Yes I got a question which I have been asking over and over again ! You say that the silica dust levels are at the right levels ! But can you put in writing that in 5years or more that this is not going to cause lung cancer or any other health problems to the public in and around the surrounding areas of the quarry and further afield ? This does worry me as I already suffer from asthma which I expect there are many more who does in these villages next to the quarry and As we (understand )this silica dust does cause lung cancer and this dust is naked to the eye ! Also at one of the council meetings one of their constituents asked where is the data from the monitors that was supposedly been installed to monitor these levels which wasn’t provided to the council to show these results on paper ?? On top of all this DON’T you think that you have already spoilt enough land and wild life and making these people’s lives a misery too !
this council need to grow a new set and stop this happing or are they going to roll over just like they did with the 3 just men on the council payroll this council is spine less do not expect any joy from them
Yes I have a question which I keep asking over and over I suffer with asthma and I have read that silica dust causes lung disease and cancer ! Can Bryn group put it in writing to us residents that in 5 years or more that this silica dust that goes into the air from the quarry that this isn’t going to cause health problems to people in the surrounding areas by the quarry and further afield and before they say we have monitors that say the levels are in compliance with the regulations, well why at one of the council’s meeting one of the council constituents asked why they didn’t produce the data on paper for them to see the results of the monitors ???
I too live in Penybryn and we have been complaining for so long and no one is listening. Besides all the dust, noise and smells I have so many cracks appearing in my house after each blast and it’s so upsetting. Why is no one listening to us and sorting out the problem. Very soon you will find the residence wanting to sue Bryn Group for damages to property and our health. The problem needs to be addressed and sorted first and in NO WAY should it be extended. Too many ignoring our communities situation because money is more important.
If this council cant sort the problem out maybe a new one can,remember how this council has acted at the next elections.