Protests over city tip reopening

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Residents near a city's former landfill have voiced their concerns about the prospect of the site reopening.

Swansea Council closed its only tip in 2005 but wants it reopened next year because it is costing £2m annually to send waste out of the city.

People at a public meeting in Port Tennant said they feared an increase in flies and smells if the dump reopened.

Kath Thyer said: "We've had no fly problem for two years, which only goes to show where they were coming from."

The public meeting in Port Tennant on Thursday night was an opportunity for residents to put questions to council officials.

Swansea Council has said it has improved its recycling rate for waste disposal but has described the economics of reopening Tir John as "compelling".

A report to the council's cabinet claimed the site could continue operating for another 12 years, saving the city up to £18m in that time.

The same document said closing the tip would still cost the council £12.5m in remedial works.

'Regenerated'

Ms Thyer, who lives three streets away from the site, said locals were worried about the return of heavy lorries bringing in the waste, as well as noise and smells.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, she said: "We had to put up with the tip for years and years.

"We were promised that when the site came to the end of its life, it would be regenerated.

"The area is totally run down and it's time we had something bright and cheerful to be proud of."

Swansea Council was preparing a statement on the outcome of the meeting.