The Appeal Report is quite the eye-opener. A cursory glance reveals some glaring issues that demand attention.

CraigyrHesg Appeal Report

First and foremost, the treatment of the residents and their elected representatives throughout this process is nothing short of demeaning. In my opinion, they’ve been subjected to a condescending, and patronizing attitude, which is utterly unacceptable. It’s imperative for anyone with even a modicum of concern for fairness to delve into the report and witness firsthand how these legitimate concerns were dismissed or belittled. And let’s not overlook the disappointing lack of support from R-C-T, but we’ll circle back to that at a later date. This isn’t a recent thing, but the appeal report does just extend to disrespect shown to this community.

How did Heidelberg think that this group of disturbingly clad community outreach individuals were going to go down ? They do know that Wales isn’t even represented on the Union Jack , or maybe they don’t . I’m equally ignorant about the German Flag.

Now, let’s talk about dust. The report mentions the dust risks associated with the proposed quarry expansion as “slight adverse.” But what does that really mean? Can we brush off the potential health hazards when children are growing up mere meters away from an active quarry, breathing in this “slight adverse” dust day in and day out? The report acknowledges that the dust particles can reach a size of ’10 microns’, posing significant risks to health. So, how can we justify subjecting the community, especially children, to such risks for years on end? It’s a dangerous experiment that nobody should be willing to undertake.

Moving on to the assertion that the deprivation in Glyncoch is mostly economic, not environmental. This claim is not just irritating; it’s downright infuriating. Sure, jobs and long term investment are important, but what about the environmental impact and the loss of valuable green spaces? It’s disheartening that someone like Julie James, who holds positions related to climate change and is affiliated with green groups, didn’t prioritize the preservation of this precious 10 acres of open space. For a community like Glyncoch, access to nature isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. But it seems like they’re being told they don’t deserve such amenities. Not everyone can escape the dust and sounds of blasting with a trip up to Brecon or The Gower.

Of course, Julie James has the luxury of access to The Gower, literally on her doorstep, so out of sight out of mind, perhaps. But here are her thoughts on the subject :

“We have all spent more time in our neighbourhoods during the weeks of lockdown and we can all appreciate the difference between having a quality environment to live, work and relax in and how being cut-off from our friends and family can mean that a poor environment, with no or limited access to local goods, services and green spaces can have a severely detrimental impact on our mental and physical
health and well-being, as well as our ability to protect our livelihoods.¹

And let’s not forget where the profits from this venture are headed—ultimately, to Heidelberg’s ¢22 Billion in revenue in 2022 and even more in 2023 – and it’s never enough. It’s reminiscent of the days of coal mining, where the local community bore the brunt of the labour and the risks while the profits lined the pockets of distant owners. It’s a slap in the face to the residents of Glyncoch, who are , at least from the way I read it, being told to be grateful for what little they have and not to question the decisions made by those who hold power. It’s a narrative that’s all too familiar and entirely unacceptable and so evocative of our Welsh history.

1. hypocrite : person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings ↩︎