4:50pm Saturday 13th March 2010
Controversial plans to spray chemicals on Carn Ingli are in the pipeline once again.
The Graziers Association, which manages land on Newport mountain, has been given the green light from the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to spray certain areas with the herbicide Asulox from a plane this summer.
Graziers say the step is necessary to control bracken, which has swamped parts of the mountain.
The organisation’s secretary Gordon Thomas said: “We are hoping to do it in July, but have not made up our minds yet.
“The bracken is getting worse every year, it’s getting out of hand really.”
When first proposed in 2007, the idea met with fierce opposition and the original plans were withdrawn following opposition by local objectors, and the suggestion that children would be brought on to Carn Ingli when the helicopter approached.
Felicia Ruperti, who lives at Brithdir Mawr, on the slopes of Carn Ingli, is concerned about the impact on endangered species on the mountain, which is a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the source of private water supplies.
She said: “There is no way they are going to confine the chemicals to the designated space if they are going to use a helicopter. The wind and air currents will also carry it.
“Our water comes from Carn Ingli, which we use for our crops and drinking.”
Members of the Brithdir Mawr community say they also have grazing rights on the common but have not been included in any consultation.
The graziers say they want to work with the community and address their concerns, and nothing has been finalised yet.
Mr Thomas added: “If people have concerns they are welcome to contact me to talk about them.”
Permission from CCW includes measures to ensure there are no adverse effects on SSSI features.
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