Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:37 pm on 8 March 2023.
I thank James Evans for that intervention. I think he's making his view known, and I think it's a point that will be heard by the Senedd. In this debate today, I'm not going to take a position, but it is worth hearing from all sides, including from Jane Dodds and from Joel James as well. So, we've had those views expressed, and I think that James's views will be heard as well, but I'm awaiting the consultation. But, what I am pointing out today are the consequences for my constituents.
So, the planning application that went in was rejected because the council's decision was that, in the absence of a flood consequences assessment, it could not be demonstrated that the consequences of less vulnerable development within zone 2 could be acceptably managed over the lifetime of the development. Now, what that highlights is that there is a very real risk of flooding there, but it also bears out my argument that it is in the interests of the current owners to prevent flooding as far as possible. If they weren't there, there would be no-one to prevent flooding.
So, my argument today, my call today, is for the Welsh Government to proceed with the consultation, and it is also for the Government to consider what remedial action they would take should the consultation require either further regulation or a ban. Further regulation effectively means that GBGB would be the regulator. Unless they can get that planning application through, Valley racing will not be able to continue as an operation, should you introduce greater regulation. And that application is only going to go through if that flooding issue is addressed. So, that is of material concern to the decision that is made. Effectively, I think, if you regulate, you're going to be 90 per cent likely to be effectively banning greyhound racing in Wales anyway. What I would ask the Government to do in those circumstances is to be prepared to remediate that land, to put money towards the full remediation, through Natural Resources Wales, of that land in order to prevent it from becoming derelict. And I would also ask Welsh Government to look at what consequences there will be for the future of that land and the residents of Ystrad Mynach, who will be directly affected.
So, the consultation is important. There's clearly public appetite for it, and I think that will play out as it should. I think the views today that have been expressed from all sides will be heard, but at this point in time I want to keep my argument purely—purely—for the people of Ystrad Mynach and the consequences that they may see.