As Leader of Caerphilly Council and local ward member for Ynysddu, I want to assure the whole community that I recognise and fully understand the real concerns about the new waste recycling plant at Nine Mile Point Industrial Estate.

Indeed, I share many of these concerns, as none of us want to see any harmful impacts on the lives of residents or on the local environment.

A local resident recently attempted to undertake a judicial review of the planning decision but, having considered the legal arguments put forward by both sides, the challenge was refused by the high court.

While I can understand the frustration that the challenge was refused, it does mean that the original planning permission granted in 2015 cannot be challenged any further, and that the developer Hywel NMP have the right to build the facility and to seek the necessary permit from Natural Resources Wales.

As this is such a sensitive issue for all residents of the Lower Sirhowy Valley, it is important that we are open, honest and transparent about the decision-making process undertaken to date.

Therefore, I have instructed senior officers, who are independent of this matter, to carry out an investigation in line with our official complaints procedure.

This is a formal, prescribed process which will allow all the concerns raised by the community to be fully explored.

If the outcome of this investigation is not satisfactory then the matter can be ultimately referred to the Public Ombudsman for Wales, so I hope this gives reassurance to the community that there will be a full and thorough investigation of the facts.

As a resident of the area myself, you will appreciate that not only do I want to establish the facts, but I am also extremely keen to ensure that the development at Nine Mile Point is subject to the necessary environmental control measures.

It is also important that all activity at the site remains closely regulated and monitored by NRW.

I met senior officers from NRW on September 27 to set out those requirements and to seek reassurance directly from the regulator about the plans for the facility. The meeting was positive and the information that was shared by NRW about plans for the site was encouraging.

I have also asked senior officers to meet representatives from Hywel NMP and I am again told the meeting was positive.

The company recognises the sensitive nature of the development and is extremely keen to begin meeting with residents to develop a partnership that is based on mutual trust.

It may take some time for us to establish trust, particularly from the current position, so officers have asked that they begin to work directly with the community and for an initial meeting to be held within the coming weeks.