“The housing development is to go ahead at the former council refuse site at Cosmeston. There are local concerns over the environmental damage and potential health concerns from the known carcinogenic materials identified there, such as asbestos.
A few years ago, a petition was signed by several thousand voicing these concerns, but we were informed our concerns are ungrounded.
Last year another petition was signed by thousands voicing their concerns at the detrimental impact activities could have at the Cosmeston Lakes, the opposite side of the road from the housing development, on the ecology and environment there, including the voles, various plants birds and aquatic life.
Again, these concerns were dismissed, and the message was that all this had been considered and fears were unwarranted.
Since the petition was signed and the objections by the concerned public, Dikerogammarus villosus, described as an invasive species of killer shrimp has been identified as being in the lake. It reputedly destroys aquatic ecology systems.
At the time of the petition and public demonstration no one had mentioned, heard of or considered this shrimp and yet here it is in spite of diligence being carried out.
Even with the best will, If this can happen at the lakes how can it be deemed 100 per cent safe for future residents across the road at Cosmeston with the various and unknown pollutants there.
If the shrimps got in undetected at the lakes, what could be lurking in the former tip across the road.
If people are to live there, will the council carry out their own tests to ensure it is 100 per cent for future residents on the proposed estate, staff and pupils at the new school and current local residents in relation to asbestos contaminated dust caused by groundworks, will the council release a public statement stating they are carrying out these tests and will assume full responsibility for the tests and public health.
These are not idle concerns or nimbyism. All over the UK and in Wales, former waste sites are considered a health risk.
In Newport, refusal was given to a man to excavate a tip for a computer hard drive containing bit at a tip despite millions being offered if he found it .
At Ynysddu, Caerphilly, a former tip has been fenced off due to public health concerns.
In Staffs health problems have been raised.
As council tax payers, the very least we deserve is 100 per cent categorical assurance from the council. Tests carried out in the past and other tests do not carry the same weight.”
Tim James,
Penarth.
