Protest in Llandybie after council approves quarry project

A coach filled with councillors were met with anger and frustration as they road through Llandybie to visit the Cilyrychen Quarry, where the construction of a waste processing plant is planned.

Protestors temporarily blocked the road and camped at the quarry gates before heckling councillors as they left the site.

Numerous locals turned up to protest the development. (Image: Alan Kipping) Protestors heckled the councillors as they rode through the village. (Image: Alan Kipping) The coach was temporarily blocked by protestors in the street. (Image: Alan Kipping) The message is clear from residents. (Image: Alan Kipping) The reasons behind residents frustration towards the project. (Image: Alan Kipping) The quarry is home to various wildlife. (Image: Alan Kipping) A resident of Llandybie, Lalage Cambell said: “Unfortunately, the application has been granted planning permission. But we plan to put in a call request to the Welsh government in Cardiff.

“This project will be very noisy and result in a large number of heavy goods vehicles driving up and down the village. This will be disturbing for vulnerable adults and dangerous for children as the lorries will pass through the school crossing.

“It’s also going to negatively affect all the nature based in the quarry such as the animals and plants that live there. We protested in the snow, and this was the second time we protested as last time one of the councillors forget to declare an interest.

“Both times we have demonstrated how much we’re against the proposed development.”

One resident who will be affected is Alan Kipping who lives at the closest residence to the proposed site of the new quarry.

Alan moved to Llandybie with his wife Ludi who suffered a stroke and needed recuperation.

However, if the quarry reopens, the couple will need to find a different form of accommodation for their retirement.

Another resident, Ruth Davies added: “If there is disruption to the community, there should be some sort of community benefit. Yet there isn’t one. Those living in residential care homes won’t be able to escape the noise.

“The integrity of the site has been preserved for the last 25 years. The project comes under the category of ‘waste strategy for Wales.’ But when you look at things closely, there are only two piles of stone on the quarry site.

“This will be landscaped in a matter of months. Then all the waste will be transported through the village with a heavy goods vehicle and heavy machinery will be used to crush the material. That doesn’t sound too sustainable.

“Regarding wildlife, the surveys completed as part of the planning application were done during times of the year when the number of creatures is lower. Some falcons nest in the quarry and other animals can only travel 100 metres to find food.”