Llanfairfach was a small town located in Wales, about an hour away from the city of Newport. It was home to both a coal mine, the main source of its economy, and a commune named Wholeweal. In the 1970s, the National Coal Board closed the coal mine, causing the loss of many jobs. However, Global Chemicals later opened an oil refinery there, promising prosperity for the town. Clifford Jones opposed it over environmental concerns. The Third Doctor and Jo Grant went to Llanfairfach to investigate the mysterious death of Hughes, whose body had been found glowing green. They discovered that Global Chemicals was dumping lethal toxic waste into the abandoned mine, which also had the side-effect of creating giant maggots. The refinery was shut down.