Islwyn MP has challenged the Government on allowing concerns about pollution to be factored into planning decisions, in light of UK’s Net Zero commitments.
Mr Evans raised the controversial waste plant which is currently under construction in Cwmfellinfach. The plant, which has received huge objections from surrounding communities, was given the go ahead despite concerns about the plant’s impact on local air quality.
Air pollution and reaching Net Zero were at the forefront of this year’s COP26 Conference, which the UK hosted in Glasgow. The main goal was to secure global net zero by mid-century and keep a maximum of 1.5 C degrees of warming. Countries across the world pledged to do this by accelerating the phase-out of coal, curtailing deforestation, speeding up the switch to electric vehicles and encouraging investment in renewables.
Chris Evans MP said:
“While it is admirable to assist other countries in meeting their net zero goals, closer to home, the planning laws mean that polluting companies gain planning permission to build waste transfer plants such as the one in Cwmfelinfach in my constituency.
I have pushed the Government to ensure they consider our environment as we build in our communities.”