Baglan Industrial Park

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General – in the Senedd at 2:35 pm on 22 November 2017.

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Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 2:35, 22 November 2017

Well, can I join others in welcoming you to your post, Counsel General, and can I also put on record my appreciation to the former Counsel General for the work he did as well?

Counsel General, the answer you gave me is obviously disappointing. I appreciate the legal side of things, but the covenant has a schedule that highlights matters relating to the usage of land, and states, in paragraph 2:

'Not to use the property hereby conveyed or any part thereof other than as an industrial park in accordance with the planning permissions granted'.

And paragraph 3 states:

'not use the (demised premises, property) or permit the same to be used for offensive, noisy or dangerous trade business manufacture or occupation of for any purpose or in the manner which may be a nuisance to the Agency or the owners or occupiers of neighbouring or adjacent premises.'

Now that clearly places a responsibility upon the Welsh Government, as the landowners, to ensure that any development of this land should not impact detrimentally upon occupiers of neighbouring or adjacent properties, many of which are residential properties. Isn't it time that you advised the Welsh Government not to accept the consequences that could follow, and to actually tell the Ministry of Justice that they will undoubtedly create a nuisance through the proposed development, and possibly include scenarios where danger may occur, as we've seen on prison estates across the UK? Otherwise, I think you're preparing the Welsh Government for many, many legal cases, as my constituents will be seeking a recourse.