This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_east/7331580.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Coal mine protestors hold march | Coal mine protestors hold march |
| (about 19 hours later) | |
| People living close to an opencast coal mine and land reclamation site near Merthyr Tydfil are have held a demonstration march in protest. | People living close to an opencast coal mine and land reclamation site near Merthyr Tydfil are have held a demonstration march in protest. |
| They are calling for a 500m (1,640ft) buffer zone between their homes and the Ffos-y-fran site. | They are calling for a 500m (1,640ft) buffer zone between their homes and the Ffos-y-fran site. |
| People are angered the site has been allowed to go ahead with a buffer of 40m (130ft) to the nearest homes. | People are angered the site has been allowed to go ahead with a buffer of 40m (130ft) to the nearest homes. |
| But developers Miller Argent say although there are objectors to the scheme, they have had local support. | But developers Miller Argent say although there are objectors to the scheme, they have had local support. |
| Stephen Tillman, a director with Miller Argent said: "All the regulations, conditions and consents which are required for Ffos-y-fran to operate are being rigorously enforced and we pride ourselves on a safe and well run site. | Stephen Tillman, a director with Miller Argent said: "All the regulations, conditions and consents which are required for Ffos-y-fran to operate are being rigorously enforced and we pride ourselves on a safe and well run site. |
| "We have always taken account of residents' views to improve mitigation measures. | "We have always taken account of residents' views to improve mitigation measures. |
| "We are aware there are some residents with long held objections, but we have also had and continue to receive strong expressions of local support." | "We are aware there are some residents with long held objections, but we have also had and continue to receive strong expressions of local support." |
| But members of Residents Against Ffos-y-fran (RAFF) campaign group are angry about the development being so close to homes in the area and marched to the town centre ahead of a concert. | But members of Residents Against Ffos-y-fran (RAFF) campaign group are angry about the development being so close to homes in the area and marched to the town centre ahead of a concert. |
| This event will show we are still determined to fight the scheme Alyson Austin, RAFF | This event will show we are still determined to fight the scheme Alyson Austin, RAFF |
| The march started at Twyn y Rodyn nursery school, which is less than 400m from the mine. | The march started at Twyn y Rodyn nursery school, which is less than 400m from the mine. |
| Alyson Austin from the protest group said there were around 100 people at the march and described the support as "absolutely fabulous." | Alyson Austin from the protest group said there were around 100 people at the march and described the support as "absolutely fabulous." |
| "This opencast mine will come within 36m of houses," she said. | "This opencast mine will come within 36m of houses," she said. |
| "In England and Scotland, mines have to be at least 500m from the nearest residents. Wales deserves the same treatment. | "In England and Scotland, mines have to be at least 500m from the nearest residents. Wales deserves the same treatment. |
| "This event will show we are still determined to fight the scheme which will be with us six days a week, 16 hours a day for at least the next 17 years if it is allowed to continue." | "This event will show we are still determined to fight the scheme which will be with us six days a week, 16 hours a day for at least the next 17 years if it is allowed to continue." |
| There are fears about how close the site is to homes | There are fears about how close the site is to homes |
| Other protests about the mine have already been held. | Other protests about the mine have already been held. |
| Ffos-y-fran will mine 10m tonnes of coal over 17 years which includes two years aftercare of the greened restoration area. | |
| Its developer, Miller Argent defended the scheme saying that the land nearest the houses would emerge from the reclamation process within six years. | Its developer, Miller Argent defended the scheme saying that the land nearest the houses would emerge from the reclamation process within six years. |
| "The site boundary commences near this area because the scheme is a reclamation scheme and that is where the dereliction commences (left from the previous reclamation phases)," said a spokesman. | "The site boundary commences near this area because the scheme is a reclamation scheme and that is where the dereliction commences (left from the previous reclamation phases)," said a spokesman. |
| "In returning the landscape to its natural state, the restoration will include care for some important industrial heritage landmarks, the preservation of an Iron Age Settlement and other archaeological finds and the preservation and care for Cwm Golau wooded valley. | "In returning the landscape to its natural state, the restoration will include care for some important industrial heritage landmarks, the preservation of an Iron Age Settlement and other archaeological finds and the preservation and care for Cwm Golau wooded valley. |
| "The whole scheme, which has already provided land for housing and work, was always designed to be paid for by coal taken out during the land reclamation," he added. | "The whole scheme, which has already provided land for housing and work, was always designed to be paid for by coal taken out during the land reclamation," he added. |
| Last month AMs debated plans for a 500m buffer zone between houses and new opencast mining developments. | Last month AMs debated plans for a 500m buffer zone between houses and new opencast mining developments. |
| On Tuesday opponents of the scheme chained themselves to excavation machinery at the site. | On Tuesday opponents of the scheme chained themselves to excavation machinery at the site. |