Gwyneth Jones(right) is against plans for the landfill site

Up to 60 people lobbied Wrexham councillors as they entered a planning committee meeting to discuss an application on Monday.

The company which owns the site Mersey Waste wants to modify the site at the former Hafod quarry in Johnstown and make it smaller, claiming it would take the site further away from houses.

However, the assembly wrote to the councillors to ask them not to make a decision and ministers now have to decide whether the application should be debated by a public inquiry or to hand it back to Wrexham Council.

Afterwards Stuart Elwin from Mersey Waste said the company accepted the council's decision.

Planning permission has existed at the Hafod site since 1995 but no tipping has ever taken place.

Protestors want to build a nature reserve at Hafod Quarry

Campaigners who had submitted their own planning application to change the site from landfill to a nature reserve say they are delighted by the latest moves.

"We're all very, very relieved and a bit daunted by the work we may have to do now for a public inquiry," said Pauline Smout.

"Our best possible option would be if the assembly decide against the landfill and agree the idea of a nature reserve."

Residents are concerned that the landfill would produce dioxins - an unwanted by-product of some heating processes.

Diseases

Scientists are working to establish the exact toxicity of dioxins.

It is reported that they could have an effect on health and increase the likelihood of cancer.

Other landfill sites in Wrexham include the Pen-y-Bont site in Newbridge and Gardden Road in Ruabon.

Protestor Gwyneth Jones said residents have had to put up with a landfill site in nearby villages and they do not deserve another.

"We're opposing it because the area's had a landfill site before in Ruabon. We're saying that's enough for one area," she said.

"We're also concerned if anything ran from the site into a brook it could run into farming land.

"Rats and seagulls will be there in abundance and they carry diseases," she added.