Expansion Plans For Wrexham Dairy Put on Hold Over Traffic Concerns

Extensive plans to expand a family run dairy in Wrexham have been put on hold following concerns over increased traffic generation in the area.

The proposals, which were submitted by Tomlinsons Dairy in Minera, come as a result of the company winning a contract which will see an increase of production of milk at the site.

Three applications from the company went before the Planning Committee yesterday, proposing an expansion to accomodate additional cold storage, car parking and the extension of the company’s existing blow moulding building.

The expansion plans come as a result of the firm winning a contract with Sainsbury’s, which will see an increase in production of milk at Tomlinsons.

It is thought the expansion of the company could create an additional 60 jobs.

However there was strong opposition to the company’s expansion from three public speakers, who raised issue with the increase in traffic, the intrusion into green barrier space, noise from the site and the overall scale of the development.

Planning Officer David Williams told the committee that Tomlinsons have capacity within existing dairy to meet requirements for new customer but have not got cold storage facility to store the milk and capacity for the bottling.

All three applications had initially been recommended for approval. However councillors voted in favour of a site visit on all three applications amid concerns about traffic generation and the increase of vehicle movements in the area.

A decision on all three applications will be made later this month.