An elderly Penarth couple have called for a generator just tens of metres from their home to be relocated or replaced on health grounds.
David Davies, 82, has called on Vale of Glamorgan Council to move, or replace with a greener alternative, a diesel generator put in by council contractors as part of the multi-million pound works on the Penarth Escarpment, fearing the fumes generated will impact the health of his wife, Marion, 81.
He said that in order to keep the fumes at bay, the couple have to keep their windows and doors shut day and night, adding that this was “insufferable” during the warmer months.
The Penarth Escarpment works involve the installation of a securely anchored steel netting solution to stabilise the face of the escarpment long-term and reduce the safety risk associated with future landslips.
The cost of the work is estimated to be around £4.75m.
While the works are happening on the other side of Portway Marina from the couple’s home on John Batchelor Way, the welfare compound, which the generator is part of, is on Llwyn Passat – around 20m from their home.
Marion suffers from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare condition where a person’s lungs become scarred and as a result breathing becomes harder.
While treatments are available to manage the symptoms, there is currently no cure.
Since the generator was installed in July of this year, David has been concerned about the effect it is having on his wife’s health.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the emissions from the generator were “posing a real danger” to his wife’s health.
In a letter seen by the LDRS, the couple’s consultant respiratory physician supported the couple’s desire for the generator to be re-sited due to their concerns.
David added that, in order to keep out the fumes, all the windows and doors are kept shut throughout the day and night.
He called this “insufferable”, especially during warmer weather.
The couple has also bought air scrubbers for their apartment.
While the couple’s primary concern are the fumes of the generator, the noise and vibrations are also a cause for concern.
David said: “You cannot get away from it, it’s there constantly.
“You have to listen to it for more than eight to 10 hours really to understand but it’s insidious.”
A spokesperson for Vale of Glamorgan Council said: “The generator being used to support the ongoing Penarth escarpment works has been independently assessed by Shared Regulatory Services, who have found no evidence that its emissions are causing harm or disruption under environmental law.
“It is a modern power unit fitted with technology designed to minimise small particle emissions and ensures compliance with the latest regulatory standards.
“Whilst we fully appreciate the resident’s concerns given his wife’s health, the medical information provided does not establish a direct link between the generator and a worsening of her condition.
“The council must rely on the evidence gathered through the independent investigations undertaken by Shared Regulatory Services.
“The council has also taken proportionate steps to reduce the generator’s operating time and we are working with the supplier to reduce this further, while ensuring that the essential services it powers can continue.
“Our investigations have also found that replacing the generator with a mains electricity supply would be impractical considering the short-term nature of the works.”
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