Extension at Chirk's Kronospan factory given go-ahead
An inspector has given the go-ahead for an extension at one of the region's largest factory's, going against a council decision to refuse permission.
Bosses at Kronospan in Chirk, near Oswestry, say the extension to house a new melamine press is needed to replace dated and inefficient machinery and represents a £20 million investment.
Residents fear the new press will add to noise and dust issues they claim come from the factory.
Wrexham County Borough councillors had refused the application saying the extension would detract from views from historic Chirk Castle and the Llangollen canal world heritage site.
But planning inspector Kay Sheffield overturned the refusal - but also insisted that any noise emitted from the development should not exceed specified levels.
She was told that the work had already started on site before the appeal was heard.
In granting permission she said the extension would not result in significant change to the appearance of the locality or the setting of local heritage assets.
"Representations against the development also raise issues of air quality, dust, odour, noise and traffic and the consequences these have for the health of local residents," she said.
"While I do not dispute the claims made by local residents regarding the complex as a whole, several of the issues raised are controlled by separate legislation.
"I have no substantive evidence that the proposed development would cause air quality, dust, odour or traffic problems.
"I have imposed noise levels. "
The inspector said she had considered the duty to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.
Melamine faced board has been produced on the Chirk manufacturing site since the start of operations in 1973.
The firm said the product is essential to the viability of the plant and represents almost 60 per cent of the total £230 million plus turnover of the UK business.
Bosses claim the existing production equipment is dated and inefficient, and the process flow does not help achieve good productivity.
They say the appeal proposal is necessary to enable the business to re-configure the melamine facing department to ensure it is much more productive and efficient.
