Kronospan starts expanding its Chirk factory - despite planning permission refusal
One of the region's biggest employers has started building an extension to its factory – despite being refused planning permission.
Work has started on an extension at wood panel manufacturer Kronospan's factory in Chirk to house a new melamine facing press.
It comes despite Wrexham County Borough Council refusing planning permission for the development in September. The company has appealed to the Welsh Government to overturn the decision, but construction work has already started.
The firm said the extension formed "part of ongoing improvements to the site, in order to secure the long term future of the business" and benefit the area.
But the company has come under fire from town councillor Sarah Williams.
Officials at the factory have said if the appeal is upheld, the effect would be to grant retrospective planning permission.
Two applications were submitted by the company to the borough council last year.
The first proposed building an extension to store medium density fire board and chipboard. A second was for an extension to house a new melamine press.
Both were refused over the visual impact on the locality including World Heritage Site Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
Councillor Williams said: "Rules are there to be followed, everyone else has to follow them, so why are they any different to the rest of us? The work has started and unfortunately I'm afraid now this is a game of wait and see but I just hope the decision is considered carefully by whoever is dealing with it, and I hope the concerns of residents are taken into account."
Kronospan chairman Mike McKenna said: "The development forms part of the ongoing improvements to the plant which are being undertaken to secure the long term future of the business and also deliver environmental benefits to the local area.
"As such Kronospan has decided to appeal to the Welsh Government against the decision of the council."
