Expansion of Rowan Foods in Wrexham receives green light in move which will create 100 jobs

Plans to extend a Wrexham food processing factory have been given the green light after councillors were told it would deliver 100 new jobs.

Rowan Foods previously applied to add an extra 2,646 square metres to its base on the town’s industrial estate.

The proposals will see a cold store extension, first floor offices and a workshop built at the plant, which processes food for several major UK supermarkets.

A new access point will also be created linking onto Ash Road South, with 37 extra car parking spaces.

The application had been backed for approval by officials from Wrexham Council ahead of a virtual planning committee meeting yesterday (Monday, 2 November).

Planning officer David Williams said: “With it being an industrial estate there is no objection in principle.

“It does employ just under 900 employees and this proposal will bring that total up by 100.

“It’s a significant number of new jobs provided on the back of this development.

“It would be beneficial, particularly at this point in time, to support the economy and the development of an existing user on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.”

The facility was recently connected to an outbreak of the coronavirus.

More than 300 cases of Covid-19 were identified among its workforce and people living with them during the summer.

It was later declared over by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in August.

No opposition was voiced against the expansion plans with councillors unanimously voting in favour after welcoming the extra employment opportunities.

Labour group leader Dana Davies said: “The development is on the industrial estate and we welcome the economic benefits in the creation of around 100 jobs.

“I’m more than happy to support the officer’s recommendation.”

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter