Chirk factory dust fears prompt council probe

Nick Williams, from Chirk, has spoken after he invited public protection officers from Wrexham Council to his home last week to discuss issues relating to his and other residents' concerns over the emission of dust from the nearby Kronospan factory, as he claims they lied to him.

He said: "I asked Wrexham Council officers to come to my house so I could show them the dust that covers my car, as last week alone I had to wash it five times but that isn't even my main concern, what concerns me is that we are breathing this stuff in, me, my children, other residents.

"This stuff affects everyone's quality of life.

"But what's got to me is that these officers said it was just leaves from trees and emissions from passing cars covering my car, yet when I contacted the environmental manager at Kronospan, he held his hands up and accepted it was from Kronospan, so public protection officers have lied to me and it stinks. I have no faith in those officers after this."

Residents have been complaining about the pollution from the factory, which makes medium density fibreboard (MDF), for a number of years.

The 42-year-old father-of-two, who has lived in Chirk for 15 years, said many people ask him why he doesn't leave the town.

"Why should I leave? I love where I live, all I'm asking for is for Wrexham Council to enforce the site's work permit, their own work permit," he said.

"It has never been my intention for Kronospan to close and I can understand residents who have loved ones and dependants who rely on their incomes.

"They do support the community on funding projects. And directly and indirectly drive the local economy shops, housing, leisure."

A Wrexham Council spokesperson said: "The council's public protection department has received a number of complaints regarding emissions from the board manufacturing activities at the site.

"These are being investigated.

"Officers routinely inspect the site and monitor emissions to check compliance with the environmental permit issued by the council."

An urgent meeting is due to take place later this month where pollution issues at the factory will be discussed, following a heated meeting last month when Chirk Town Council met with members of the public to discuss the problems.

Nobody from Kronospan was available for comment.