THE owners of Monckton Coke and Chemical Plant in Royston have agreed to invest £2.7m on environmental improvements.
Hargreaves have set the money aside to meet the recommendations of a Barnsley Council environment group. The Chronicle understands the figure could rise to £4m.
The investment comes after Coun Tim Cheetham, a member of the ruling cabinet, asked the council environment scrutiny group to investigate air quality and pollution in the east of Royston and its effects on health and amenity.
This resulted in a meeting between Hargreaves' management and top council officials last month.
Coun Cheetham hailed the investment a victory and said: "It shows acceptance on their part that this has been a problem. Emissions and pollution are not acceptable and they have agreed there needs to be substantial investment."
Full story in the Royston edition of the Chronicle, Friday, October 1.
