NDM8570 Plaid Cymru Debate - Coal tip and open cast mine remediation

NDM8570 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that this Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) that Wales has 40 per cent of the residual coal tips of the UK, which are a legacy of the exploitation of Wales’s natural resources;

b)  that increased rainfall and extreme weather has the potential to further destabilise these tips; and

c) the anxiety caused for residents who live near disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites.

2. Regrets that the UK Government refuses to provide funding to support the long-term remediation and repurposing of disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to urgently introduce legislation to establish a new body to set up a fit-for-purpose remediation programme for disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites. 

4. Calls on the UK Government to urgently provide the necessary additional funding for the inspection and maintenance regime and bear the long-term financial responsibility for making disused tips, open cast mines and other post-industrial sites safe through proper remediation.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

In sub-point 1 (a), delete 'the exploitation of Wales’s natural resources' and replace with 'Wales’s industrial heritage'.

Amendment 2 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

In point 2, delete 'regrets that the UK Government refuses' and replace with 'believes that the UK Government should continue to work with the Welsh Government'.

Amendment 3 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Notes that Welsh Government has made available over £44 million to local authorities to maintain and improve coal tip safety since 2022, has introduced a regular monitoring system for Category C and D tips, and will introduce new modern legislation for disused tips in the autumn.

Amendment 4 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 4.