A recycling plant in Carmarthenshire has been ordered to stop accepting certain types of waste to control a fly infestation that has left residents "physically sick" and feeling like prisoners in their own homes.
The problem has been affecting people in the south of Llanelli since June, leading to an investigation by NRW and Carmarthenshire Council. Last week some residents said the problem was so bad that they were unable to cook or eat in their properties.
Resident David Jones said: "It’s been going on for a few weeks now this summer but the truth is this is a recurring nightmare that keeps coming back to plague us year after year. You feel like a prisoner in your own home surrounded by sticky fly papers just to try and keep the numbers down."
Enforcement action taken
Earlier this week it was confirmed that the source of the infestation was AMG Resources Limited, a recycling plant in Llanelli which is permitted and regulated by NRW. An enforcement notice requiring the operator to take action to address issues relating to the management of waste and bring operations back into compliance with the conditions of its permit was issued, giving AMG Resources Limited 21 days to implement the required measures.
After a further inspection on July 23, additional enforcement action has been taken. NRW confirmed that a partial suspension notice has been issued, requiring AMG Resources Limited to stop accepting certain waste types from 6pm on July 24. The operator is cooperating and is required to complete a number of actions, including clearance and cleaning of areas of the site, to reduce the risk of ongoing impacts.
Councillors call for resignation
On Tuesday, Carmarthenshire county councillors Sean Rees and Louvain Roberts, who represent the Glanymor ward of Llanelli, called on the chair of NRW, Neil Sachdev, to resign over the matter. In a statement they said: "Llanelli residents have endured weeks of unacceptable disruption and awful conditions, with homes, businesses, schools and community facilities all affected by another fly infestation. This crisis has affected everyone in our community - from our young people to our elderly residents, from working people to disabled residents and those living with other medical conditions who continue to need support. Residents and businesses who have suffered financial loss and significant disruption through no fault of their own should be receiving appropriate compensation. Our community deserves answers, accountability and the assurance that this can never happen again."
The councillors claimed that a representative from NRW told BBC Wales on July 7 that it did not believe the AMG Resources site was the source, before NRW confirmed it was earlier this week. However, NRW said it has not conducted an interview with BBC Wales on the matter and at no point in a "complex investigation" concluded that the AMG Resources site was not the source.
A spokeswoman for NRW said on July 24: "We understand how distressing and frustrating the increase in fly activity has been for residents and businesses in the Glanymor area of Llanelli. Over recent weeks we have been working closely with Carmarthenshire Council to investigate the source of the problem. From the outset officers have carried out site inspections, monitoring and other evidence-gathering activities to assess a number of potential sources and build a clear understanding of the cause. As the investigation progressed and further evidence was gathered, AMG Resources was identified as a source of the increased fly activity. In response, we served an enforcement notice requiring the operator to improve the management of waste on site and return operations to compliance with its permit conditions. At no point during our investigation was this operator ruled out as a potential source. This has been a complex and evolving investigation, and NRW has taken regulatory decisions based on the evidence available at each stage. We will continue to monitor the site closely, work alongside Carmarthenshire Council and assess compliance with both the enforcement notice and the partial suspension notice. We will consider any further regulatory action necessary to protect people and the environment. Looking further ahead, we will continue with enhanced monitoring of this site and the operator will be required to review and improve its current protection measures on the site to minimise the risk of this happening again."
Attempts to contact AMG Resources Limited for comment have been unsuccessful.
