Caerphilly council's 'do minimum' approach to polluted road opposed by Welsh Government

Senior councillors in Caerphilly have heard that their preferred plan of action, which avoids the demolition of 23 homes on Hafod-Yr-Ynys Road, Crumlin, would not be accepted by ministers.

This ‘do minimum’ approach, which relies on predictions that vehicle emissions will improve over time without the need for local intervention, was backed at cabinet on March 27.

Councillor Eluned Stenner said public health was "paramount", but there was a “moral obligation” to ensure residents would not be left in financial hardship if their homes were demolished.

READ MORE: What it is like living in Wales' most polluted street where houses could be torn down due to issue

“These are not just bricks and mortar, these are people’s homes,” added the cabinet member for environment and public protection.

But on the same day, the Welsh Government emailed the council saying that the option was “not viable” and could be challenged.

Caerphilly council is under pressure to meet targets as soon as possible, having recorded higher levels of nitrous dioxide than anywhere except central London in 2015 and 2016.

Two HGVs struggle to pass each other in Woodside Terrace

Demolishing homes in Woodside Terrace, Yr Adfa and the Woodside Shops would help achieve targets by 2023, whereas the ‘do minimum’ option is expected to bring compliance by 2025.

This would also involve the council paying market valuation for each property through compulsory purchase orders.

Cabinet agreed that if demolition was forced upon them, extra funding was needed from the Welsh Government to ensure affected residents would not be left in “financial hardship”.

Deputy council leader Barbara Jones expressed concerns about the “tone and lateness” of the Welsh Government’s correspondence.

Councillor Barbara Jones

“Not one of us wants to push anyone into poverty,” said Cllr Jones.

“These aren’t just homes, this is a community, people who have lived next to and have known each other for years,

“How many of these people are going to find another house of that value close to where they’ve lived and brought up their children?”

Caerphilly council is now preparing to launch a 10-week public consultation on the air quality plan following the cabinet decision.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We have emailed Caerphilly council this morning following legal advice that their ‘do minimum’ option did not meet the legal requirements set by the High Court to achieve compliance in ‘the soonest time possible’ and is therefore not a viable option.  

“The minister for environment, energy and rural affairs, Lesley Griffiths, will be writing to the leader and chief executive reminding them of the legal requirements and that cost cannot be a consideration. 

“We have made it clear that funding is available to support the necessary actions to deliver compliance with air quality levels in the borough.

“We are awaiting advice from our independent review panel who are currently scrutinising Caerphilly council’s proposals - it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”