6. Will the Minister provide an update on action to improve air quality in Clwyd West? OQ58045

Tackling polluting transport emissions has been a focus of our clean air programme of work. And, as I mentioned, the north Wales transport commission and the roads review panel are both carrying out work that'll help us with this target in mind.

Clean air is not just about the pollution that we have from road traffic, Deputy Minister, it's also pollution from other places, such as industrial plants. The Glasdir estate in Ruthin has been plagued in recent years with poor air quality as a result of the operation of nearby combined heat and power plants by Newbridge Energy Limited. And, regretfully, just very recently, in recent days, Natural Resources Wales has given a permit to operate a second combined heat and power plant from the same location, doubling, effectively, the emissions that go into the local atmosphere. The residents on that estate want to know what action the Welsh Government is going to take in order to make sure that that decision can be either unpicked or that the effective and efficient operation of those plants is properly monitored by Natural Resources Wales to ensure that they don't have to face continuous problems, which they feel are going to impact their health. Given that this is both a public health matter as well, I would like to know what engagement the Welsh Government has between the departments, and with NRW, to make sure that these sorts of schemes, the cumulative impact is considered, and that these sorts of schemes don't proceed where there are already concerns about pollution.

Thank you for the question, and I'm aware of the concerns that he's raised previously on behalf of residents in relation to the facility at the Glasdir estate in Ruthin. It was my understanding that NRW did carry out an investigation alongside Denbighshire County Council last September, which did identify a number of minor issues that then resulted in a notice being served on the operator, and those issues were addressed and the notice was complied with. And since then, as I understand it, there's been a significant reduction in complaints regarding the site and Denbighshire County Council is monitoring closely the area to ensure that air quality remains good. Darren Millar mentioned a permit had been issued, and that is the point of the regulator, to issue permits, but also then to monitor the permits to make sure that they are complied with. Now, I think we've seen an example of where that has been done, and I'm sure NRW will continue to do that, and, if there are concerns by local residents, I'd encourage them to raise them with the local authority and with NRW.