PLANS for a controversial mine in Varteg have been rejected by Torfaen Council because the mine's damaging noise and dust would be too close to the homes and school of the village.

At a full council meeting yesterday (Tuesday) Glamorgan Power's application for permission to mine an estimated 325,000 tonnes of coal from land at Varteg Hill over almost five years was refused in line with Torfaen planner's recommendation.

The National Assembly's own guidelines state that open cast mining should not occur within 500m of a settlement. These guidelines would hav been breached had this plan gone ahead.

Proximity to residential properties and unacceptable levels of noise and dust were also given as reasons for the refusal of the application.

The No Campaigners are celebrating after a long battle to highlight the concerns of local residents living less than 100m from the proposed site and parents of children at Ysgol Bryn Onnen, Varteg's 250-pupil Welsh medium primary school - only 120m from the site.

Speaking after the meeting Secretary of the No Campaign, Rev Priscilla Pearson said: "I'm absolutely delighted that councillors have taken the advice of the chief planning protection officer on the grounds that he has outlined.

"It's a reprieve and gives us a new lease of life.

"All the way through the process the Assembly guidance has given our school and parents comfort.

"This application has restored our confidence that the 500m principle will be observed."

Managing Director of Glamorgan Power, Bernard Llewellyn said: "The Glamorgan Power Company is hugely disappointed by the result today. The Council has missed a wonderful opportunity today to bring about a significant and worthwhile project for the lasting benefit of the community.

"The company will now have to consider its position before deciding whether to invest further monies in the project and the locality."

The application was originally submitted in May 2004, and in August 2010 renewed plans were submitted reducing the area of excavation from 14 hectares to 11.6 hectares and reducing the amount of coal recovered from 350,000 tonnes to 325,000 tonnes.

The new planning application responded to concerns from local residents and council planning officers over the breach of Assembly guidelines that a 500m buffer zone should exist between the opencast mine and any settlement.

Yesterday council planning officers revealed this adjustment was not enough and Glamorgan Power's argument they would not work within 200m of a settlement is "flawed".

In his report, chief planning officer Duncan Smith said: "The reduction in the coal extraction area cannot be logically claimed to comply with the guidance contained in the MTAN2 when the proposal still has major work within 200m of residential properties namely the construction and removal of the eastern overburden dump and baffle mound."

Now the application has been refused, Glamorgan Power has the opportunity to appeal against the decision.