Aberthaw Residents Await End of Coal Plant Era & Ash Mound Removal

Keith lives near Aberthaw Power Station. Its chimney is visible from his house. A large ash mound has grown over fifty years. He recalls dust blowing onto properties like mascara running down the window. The dust got everywhere, even inside. He couldn’t open windows on windy days, and hanging laundry outside was impossible then.

The power station closed in 2020, and demolition is underway to build a renewable energy park. The project should finish by 2027. The ash mound removal could take years. Residents worry about disturbing 17 million tons of ash.

CCR tests the ash but haven’t decided how to use it yet. Celtic Minerals aims to process 600,000 tons yearly. They could make cement replacements and activated carbon, a material with many uses. The company’s website suggests a 30-year project.

Keith supports taking the power station down, and noise and dust from that don’t bother him. He worries more about long-term dust from the ash, and he painted his deck grey as a precaution. Other residents report similar dust issues. Erith handles the demolition work.

Angela and Chris Dymond live in East Aberthaw and are very worried about the ash mound. Chris said ash used to cover their house. Aberthaw A operated from 1963 to 1995, while Aberthaw B started in 1971. Plans to enlarge the ash mound failed in 2007.

Angela said they always wiped ash from ledges, but they never knew if it was coal ash. She calls it a lovely village with some problems. Chris worries about the impact on local wildlife. The area has industry nearby, yet it’s rich in wildlife, especially to the south.

Over 1,000 species live around the power station, and the coastline is a special scientific site. Angela is upset about removing the ash after 18 years, as they expected the power station to close, but removal of the mound surprised her.

Simon Jagger lives in East Aberthaw and hopes to see the mound removed, which would give them a sea view again. He sleeps better without the trains now. He thinks it’s time for the power station to go, and it should make the coast prettier.

CCR bought the power station in 2022 for £8 million. Removing the ash should start within five years, and the master plan should finish in 11 to 15 years. CCR considers wind, solar, and tidal power but has not picked a specific type.

Trevor Dally regrets the ash mound most because it blocked his view of the river and Ilfracombe. He worked at the power station for 40 years and, now retired, lives near the ash mound.

Trevor accepts the power station’s fate because it brings him good memories. He feels attached to the place, though he admits the power station had noise and dust issues. He found it livable and couldn’t complain much because he worked there.

Janice shares concerns about the ash mound, fearing that disturbing it would be horrendous. Whether by truck or train, wind could blow the ash, and it would affect the village again.

A CCR spokesperson said they test the ash, which helps them know the ash’s characteristics. They are still researching and have not decided what to do. They value community interest and promise updates as plans develop.

They study renewable energy options and will share information with residents later. Demolition will finish by 2027. CCR values community engagement and will provide project updates regularly.

East Aberthaw residents await the changes as two big parts of their view will disappear. They wonder how long it may take to do this work and worry about what effect this work will have. Trevor hopes to see the village return to its earlier state.

Trevor looks forward to the demolition. He watched them build and demolish the A station. Also, he saw the B station built, and seeing it demolished would make him happy.