Trucks began dumping waste at the site in August

The environment minister has been asked to end planning permission allowing a Merseyside waste company to put landfill in Hafod Quarry, Johnstown.

He declined to meet activists because he wanted to be seen to remain neutral.

He said if permission ended, the local authority would be liable if the waste company were entitled to compensation.

'Disappointed'

Pauline Smout, chair of the Hafod Environmental Group, said she was very disappointed with his decision.

"I understand he needs to be neutral, but I'm not sure how exactly he thinks we would have influenced his decision," she said.

She added: "I think it's outrageous that Wrexham could possibly end up being liable for compensation, because it was the Welsh Office that passed this in the first place."

Clwyd South AM Karen Sinclair said while Mr Jones was "absolutely right" that legally the council would be liable, there was a "moral obligation" not to leave the local authority with the bill.

"Given that the local authority fought very hard against this and it was the Welsh Office that made the [original] decision, it would be very hard if it fell on their shoulders," said Mrs Sinclair.

Merseyside-based company MWH Associates Ltd began tipping waste at Hafod in August after obtaining permission from the council and Environment Agency.

Protesters are opposed to any waste being dumped at the site, because part of is a protected haven for great crested newts and other wildlife.