An objector to a rubble recycling plant at a quarry in Carmarthenshire has urged councillors to let villagers "live the lives we chose to live in peace". Sean Kirwan, of Llandybie, asked the county council's planning committee to reject the recycling plant application for the disused Cilyrychen quarry nearby. A company, Dolawen Cyf, wants to crush and process material brought to the site and also remove materials deposited at two areas of the quarry.
It has indicated that the total amount of material both imported and removed from the quarry would not exceed 50,000 tonnes per year. The plans were recommended for approval by council planning officers but the committee was told at a meeting on August 15 that the Welsh Government had, just two days previously, informed the council that it couldn't make a formal decision without prior ministerial approval. Addressing councillors Mr Kirwan said he'd moved to the area seven years ago and loved its peace and quiet and the beauty of the Carmarthenshire landscape.
He said it was a relief when a cement works at the former quarry ceased operations and that people in Llandybie had reacted in "horror and disbelief" when the quarry recycling plant plan was made public. A campaign group was formed and a petition of objection with 2,073 signatures was collected. Mr Kiwan feared a "huge increase" in truck movements, noise, dust, and pollution and was worried about potential impacts on Llandybie Primary School given its proximity to the A483 �.