Creation of Poultry Processing Factory Recommended For Wrexham

Proposals to create a a poultry processing factory in Wrexham have been recommended for approval. 

In an application due to go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee next week, proposals to develop a poultry processing factory on the site of the former Maelor Creamery / cheese cutting and packing facility in Cross Lanes have been recommended for approval by a Planning Officer.

Externally the only proposed alteration to the site will be the erection of a covered storage area.

If the recommendation is approved by the Planning Committee, around 150 jobs would be created – however it is unknown how many of these jobs would be provided locally.

Last October Wrexham.com reported on the initial application, which stated that once the factory was fully operational it would have the capacity to process in the region of 122 tonnes of poultry per day.

The processing factory would use the existing buildings on site, which were used by First Milk up until the company’s closure early last year.

Within the planning report several concerns have been listed from the local member, community council and neighbouring residents regarding traffic, noise, odour and the proposed location of the factory.

The local member comments in the report: “Concerns regarding residents within close proximity to the site, noise, vermin, smell, they would have to endure from this type of production at the plant. Traffic movements onto the A525 Junction with Pickhill. Lane is also a concern.

“I do feel a similar plant regarding Dairy Production on this site as it has been for the past 60 years would be acceptable. I do understand jobs are an important factor but feel concerns from the local Community and myself, the residents of Sesswick and Cross Lanes and maybe our neighbours at Bangor On Dee, overcome the importance of the type of employment opportunities that would become available.”

Addressing the concerns of the potential odour from the factory, the Planning Officer comments notes that while there is a risk of odour from the development and that the ‘implementation of odour control measures can significantly minimise the risk’.

The planning report concludes: “The proposed development is unlikely to give rise to significant or unacceptable impacts with regards to noise, odour, traffic, visual impact and ecology and as such accords with the relevant UDP policies.”

The application will go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee on Monday March 2nd at 6:30pm. For those who can’t make the meeting but fancy keeping an eye on what’s going on – the meeting will also be webcast live from the Wrexham Council website.