Protestors say they will not give up

Environment minister Carwyn Jones said that he would not overturn a decision by Wrexham council to continue to allow a Merseyside firm to dump waste there.

Protesters claimed tipping endangered a nearby special area of conservation.

Mr Jones said he was aware of local feeling and had given "a great deal of consideration" to all the arguments.

But Pauline Smout, chair of the Hafod Environmental Group, said she was "utterly devastated" by the decision.

Locals have campaigned outside the former quarry since MWH Associates Ltd began tipping household waste there in August.

Our intervention could only be justified in exceptional circumstances and where the original decision is judged to be grossly wrong Environment minister Carwyn Jones

Planning permission to use the quarry for landfill was given in 1995 by the then Welsh Secretary.

It followed a public inquiry into an appeal against the council's decision to refuse planning.

In September this year, the council was asked to revoke or modify the planning permission as a result of conservation areas being designated on the Hafod site.

The council decided not to revoke the planning permission, but to modify conditions to protect the conservation area.

The Hafod Environmental Group asked Mr Jones to use his powers to recommend planning permission be revoked.

Ms Smout said she was "disgusted" with the democratic process.

"It is the decision of dinosaurs," she said.

"We were expecting justice. I pleaded with him (Carwyn Jones) to listen."

Fellow protester Gwyneth Jones added: "He must remember there are elections next year and he's going to face the consequences."

The dumping of waste began on 24 August

Mr Jones said he had reached his decision after visiting the site, and had considered all the arguments.

He added: "I have made it clear that, when considering how to proceed, I would apply the assembly government test in such cases.

"The policy is that our intervention could only be justified in exceptional circumstances and where the original decision is judged to be grossly wrong, so that damage would be done to the wider public interest.

"After careful consideration I have concluded that this case does not meet that test nor has any information been provided to lead me to the conclusion that that policy should be overridden in this case."

He added: "I am very aware of the strength of feeling locally about Hafod quarry and I want to assure residents that this decision has been taken after a great deal of consideration.

Mr Jones said he would continue to take "an active interest" as Wrexham council had resolved to modify the planning consent in order to protect a Special Area of Conservation on the site.

"I will consider the issues raised by that decision when Wrexham's proposals are put to me in due course," he said.