Kronospan waits to hear on expansion plans

Kronospan, in Chirk, wants to build two large gas engines at its plant as part of a modernisation programme.

The factory on Holyhead Road has in the past been subject to a large amount of complaints, mostly concerning dust emissions.

The latest proposal is being treated as a development of national significance, and will be dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate for Wales on behalf the Welsh Government.

In a briefing note the company said: “Over the past five years Kronospan has started a modernisation and improvement programme which has involved the development of a series of facilities intended to deliver efficiency and environmental improvements to the site and neighbouring residential areas.

“The manufacturing processes which take place at Kronospan require large quantities of heat and electricity.

“The high voltage electricity network in this part of Wales is sub-standard for the level of demand it is required to meet.

“As such Kronospan is only allowed to draw approximately 55 per cent of their total demand from the grid.

“The additional proposed gas engines are required to further increase Kronospan’s self-sufficiency in terms of electricity supply.”

The engines would be able to generate almost 10 megawatts of power to help power the factory, taking its total electricity generating capacity to just over 49 megawatts.

The company has submitted a screening request to the inspectorate to determine whether an environmental impact assessment is required as part of the application.

The application will be decided on by inspectors on a date to be confirmed.

Kronospan has also recently applied to vary an environmental permit, which means it will be regulated by Natural Resources Wales.

NRW said it wants to make sure the factory is regulated to deliver environmental improvements and has launched a consultation with villagers.