Posted: Wed 26th Jul 2017

New Wood Chip Facility at Kronospan Recommended For Approval

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jul 26th, 2017

Plans to install a new wood chip facility at the Kronospan factory in Chirk could be given the go ahead next week.

Members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee will debate the application for the new wood chip preparation facility at the factory on Monday 31st July.

Also included in the application is a new building to house new wood chip preparation transfer equipment, a grading and transfer system and the demolition of existing structures to facilitate the development.

The proposals, which have been put forward as part of an ‘ongoing improvement programme’ at the Holyhead Road site, have been recommended for approval by the Head of Environment and Planning.

If councillors vote in favour of the application, the new development would be located close to the western boundary of the Kronospan site – adjacent to other structures and equipment used in the manufacturing process.

No comments either for or against the proposals were submitted by the community council or local councillor. However four letters of objection were put forward on the grounds of noise pollution, dust and poisonous air from the stacks, emissions and hazardous pollution and the visual impact on an historical area.

Comments were also put forward by Canal and River Trust, who noted they have ‘some concerns relating to noise and visual impact of the development and potential for an impact on visual amenity’.

However they continue onto say: “On balance Glandwr Cymru – Canal and River Trust are satisfied the visual impact has been adequately assessed. Also a potential for noise and suitable attenuation measures should be considered.”

Concluding the report and addressing the concerns raised, the Head of Environment and Planning states: “The proposed development is part of an on-going improvement programme to deliver environmental improvements to the site and to ensure the long term economic viability of the manufacturing facility.

“The proposal is to replace the existing wood chip preparation facility, to include a building to house new wood chip preparation equipment, development of a new wood dryer and associated sifting, grading and transfer system. The current plant is dated and difficult and expensive to maintain.

“The design of the plant has meant it could not be enclosed and with potential for emissions. The replacement of the existing plant will provide further additional controls to the release of dust from the site and being enclosed will reduce noise levels from the plant, whilst improving the quality of raw material going into the particleboard and ensuring product quality.

“With regard to the heritage assets in the vicinity, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site, Chirk Castle and Historic Park and Gardens, AONB and Chirk Conservation Area, there is a general consensus with the findings of the submitted Heritage Assessment and the Landscape and Visual Assessment that only a slight impact will result from the development.

“The proposed structures will be viewed from certain locations but as with previous proposals, seen against the backdrop of the existing landscape, existing screening and proposed additional planting by virtue of the Landscape Strategy will reduce further the visual impact.

“I am satisfied that the impact of the proposed new development will have a limited additional visual impact and that it will result in environmental benefits with a reduction in noise and dust.

The application will go before councillors on Monday 31st July at 4pm. For those who cannot attend the meeting it will be webcast live on the Wrexham Council website.

Picture – Google Maps



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