Plans for new production facility at Kronospan in Chirk approved on appeal

Plans for a new production facility at a wood panel factory on the outskirts of Wrexham have been given the go ahead following a successful appeal.

Kronospan in Chirk applied to create a new orientated strand board production facility last summer in a move it said would create 100 new jobs.

However, councillors placed the proposals on hold at a meeting held in March amid concerns about the impact on road safety.

Members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee asked the firm to enter talks about creating a new access point after they heard the development would result in hundreds of lorries using the town’s roads each day.

But Kronospan instead launched an appeal to try and get the plans pushed through as it said there were no reasons why the scheme should not progress.

The company’s stance has now been backed by an inspector appointed by the Welsh Government.

In a report, Aidan McCooey said any problems caused by queueing lorries would be addressed by the creation of a new weighbridge at the site and the increased use of rail transport.

He said: “The appellant is committed to increasing the use of rail freight to transport raw materials to the site, which is served by its own rail sidings.

“Having reviewed the evidence I agree that the proposed access arrangements would be adequate, and the additional traffic generated by the proposal would not have significant effects on highway safety.

“The issue of occasional problems with HGVs queuing on the road outside the site was raised.
“It was agreed that an additional weigh bridge would be provided to reduce or eliminate the risk of queueing on the B5070 Holyhead Road.”

The proposals form part of Kronospan’s plans to invest £200 million in the site over the next three years.

During March’s planning meeting, the company’s chairman described it as ‘the final significant piece of the jigsaw’ for the facility.

In his report, Mr McCooey also highlighted the economic benefits it would deliver.

He added: “The benefits of the proposal include maintaining the viability of the company and 100 new jobs as a direct result of this new process.

“The appellant also argues that the company is a major employer and that its supply chain is a major contributor to the local and regional economy.

“These benefits are a material consideration to be accorded weight in the decision.”

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).