David Purchon: Phased closure

Rhondda Cynon Taff, which owns the landfill site, held a public meeting on Monday night to discuss a long-term waste strategy for the borough which envisages the tip being closed by 2003.

But more than 100 people are already trying to sue for damages as a result of the smells and disruption caused by the site.

And the author of the Assembly-backed report has described the location, on the side of a mountain above the village of Gelli, as unsuitable.

He has recommended the site should stop accepting household waste.

Monday evening's meeting was for Rhondda Cynon Taff councillors to discuss a 12-point waste strategy which includes introducing a waste recycling scheme throughout the borough.

Hard fight: Anti-tip campaigner Garrod Owen

However, the meeting was not scheduled to discuss the Assembly report - the local authority has until January 12 to respond to that document.

Residents near the tip met Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Geraint Davies on Monday to discuss their concerns, as well as the report's author, David Purchon.

They said plans for the site to continue operating for another two years are totally unacceptable and have threatened to return to the sort of protests outside the tip which were mounted three years ago.

Garrod Owen is a spokesman for the residents' protest group, Residents Against Nantygwyddon Tip or Rant.

He said: "I don't want a hard fight on our hands, we had many months up on the site once before and I certainly don't want to see that again.

Campaigners want the tip closed immediately

"But at the end of the day, if that's the only way it's going to be achieved, then so be it."

Mr Purchon's report said the tip should be "engineered to a close".

He has also urged for more detailed health tests to be carried out.

His report highlighted that polluted water from the site has flown over the years into an area covering 20,000 households.

Residents have until January to respond to the document, which will be debated by the assembly in the spring.

Amgen Rhondda Ltd, which operates the site, has welcomed the report and has said it will provide further comment to the Welsh Assembly if necessary.

Assembly Members are set to discuss Mr Purchon's report and the future of Nantygwyddon on Wednesday.