GARY ALEXANDER BOURNE, RHUDDLAN PART TWO

Protestors fight waste plant near Rhuddlan castle




Apr 21 2008 by Hywel Trewyn, Daily Post

Rhuddlan protest
AROUND 60 campaigners gathered near Rhuddlan's historic castle yesterday to protest against a controversial waste recycling centre being planned a couple of hundreds yards away.
As well as being within sight of the castle, the development site is directly opposite a new hotel which is under construction and should boost the area's tourist potential.
Protesters from Rhuddlan Environmental Group turned up yesterday determined to keep the historic environment for "enjoyment, recreation, tourism and wildlife."
The group says an order was made in 1954 by the then Welsh Office to protect 364 acres surrounding the castle, stopping any developments. They claim the land was bought for smallholdings and allotments and the land has a covenant limiting its use for grazing only.
The group has also criticised the council for closing a footpath on the site without consulting any local groups.
Group chairman Brenda Taylor, of Kerfoot Avenue, Rhuddlan, said last night: "The recycling development is unacceptable.
"It would harm the character of a historic landscape. It would create 'fields of litter' surrounding this outstanding site."
She called on the council to withdraw its application immediately and, instead, accept the group's new counter-application for an improved parking area for the disabled to park and enjoy Rhuddlan Wildlife Park.
Mrs Taylor said: "We are working towards a better environment, protection for plants, trees and hedges which make the whole site a haven for wildlife and scarce breeding birds such as reed bunting, bullfinch, great-crested grebe, swans, ducks and otters."
Last month Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones said she would ask the National Assembly to call in the controversial plans because of the many and varied objections to the proposal.
The council said 27 possible sites had been considered and the list had been narrowed down to five. It is proposed to have three of the new "super-centres" in Denbighshire.
Officers have denied the authority had already made up its mind on the scheme.
Cadw, the body responsible for ancient monuments in Wales, has expressed concern about the visual impact towards and from the castle.

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