A group set up last year to oppose plans for an animal incinerator near Llanbedr’s Salem Chapel has reformed to fight a fresh bid to launch the “disastrous” plan.

Cyfeillion Cwm Nantcol Friends said last year when the original plan was submitted, that the land and its surrounding areas would be vulnerable to noise, pollution and congestion if an application for a working incinerator was approved.

The application was turned down by Snowdonia National Park, but has now been submitted again.

The Friends vow to fight against it, saying “it is the very idea of destroying a cultural, religious, and historical Welsh site of national significance that we find completely inappropriate”.

Application NP5/62/63G proposes the ‘continuation of the established use of the site as a fallen stock store by the demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of new building measuring 13.5 x 9 metres’.

Friends member Sian James said the incinerator hasn’t been used for years and an operational site would be disastrous.

“I live close to the site but I would still be against this even if I didn’t,” she said.

“It is bad for the ecology and the economy.

“If this goes ahead, the effects will be a health risk to everyone, traffic congestion and the degradation of a sensitive ecological site.

“It will make the quality of life and livelihood in this valley and the surrounding areas immeasurably poorer. We hope the application will be rejected and, if so, that the applicant respects the feelings of the community and does not submit it again.”

Sian says an ecological survey shows the site is a foraging area for up to seven species of bat, and is calling on the park authority to ask for a full environmental impact assessment.­

Of last year’s application, the Friends said: “Most people could see putting a facility to store animal carcasses close to residential homes, the much-beloved Salem Chapel (famous as the location of Vosper’s picture), with water draining into the local river in the midst of four ecologically sensitive areas, was probably not a great idea. In addition, trips by articulated lorries six days a week up a steep, single lane road, ungritted in winter, seemed dangerous and unnecessary.

“Members of the local farming community worried about the transmission of disease, and local residents over pollution and zoonotic disease.

“Llanbedr village is a notorious traffic bottleneck, and the idea of lorries waiting in stationary, idling traffic, with their powerful smell of death and decomposition didn’t attract much support either.

“We had hoped our work was done, but clearly, there is more to do. We intend to fight the application again.”

The Friends are also concerned over ecology and Welsh culture.

“There is also a growing urgency to protect ecologically important sites,” Sian said.

“Welsh language, Welsh culture and heritage are finally regarded with the honour they deserve.

“CCNF believes the land and its people are worth fighting for. CCNF urge all concerned people to join their campaign.”

A spokesperson for the applicant, fallen stock company Cymru Lân Cyf, said: “We are unable to comment at the moment.

“The application has only recently been submitted so we will leave it until we see comments on the portal on the Snowdonia Park website.”

Snowdonia National Park Authority said: “In September this year the Snowdonia National Park Authority’s Planning Service registered a planning application for a fallen stock storage unit at Cwm Nantcol, Llanbedr.

“An initial application was refused permission in September 2019. Planning Officers are currently in the process of assessing a revised application, and a statutory and public consultation period is currently underway which will expire on the 8th of November 2020.

“It is anticipated that the application will be presented to the Planning and Access Committee meeting in December for determination.”