New production facility at Kronsopan site backed for approval despite local concerns

Plans for a new production facility at Kronospan have been backed for approval, despite a series of objections and concerns from local residents and the town’s community council.

The company is seeking planning permission for a new orientated strand board production facility in Chirk, which would comprise of two main components:-

– A new OSB blending building where the material would be mixed with resin and wax,
– The vertical extension of the existing press hall to accommodate a new OSB forming line, noting that the existing building within the footprint would be reconstructed to facilitate the vertical extension.

The proposed OSB blending building would be located to the west of the press hall and would be 34.6m in length, 23m wide and 33.2m in heigh

The plans will be debated by councillors next Monday after the application was recommended for approval by the council’s Head of Environment and Planning, Lawrence Isted.

However the company’s proposals have been met with opposition from Chirk Community Council, who say that after recently visiting the site they would like to see the application refused.

In its response the community council say: “it was a very dangerous site and only having one access is one of the root causes” – adding that it “seems madness that the operation of this size the number of HGV movements alone must require at least one additional road access point.”

The community council continues onto raise concerns about pollution and noise levels in the area, stating: “Councillors make a strong appeal for independent monitors of levels of pollution and real time readings should be accessible by any resident via phone app or electronic display.

“The community council and residents have a miss-trust in the current arrangements.

“Noise levels are also of great concern and adding a new production line will make matters worse. Sleep is already disturbed as Kronospan operates 24 hours.”

Such comments are echoed by a number of local residents, with 29 letters submitted objecting to Kronospan’s proposals.

However in his report Mr Isted says that: “The Council’s Public Protection team have assessed the
potential environmental impacts on the environment in terms of noise, dust, with NRW commenting on the Air Quality Assessment for OSB in terms of the River Dee SSSI with NOx not likely to be significant.”

He continues onto say: “The development forms part of an on-going development programme to ensure the long-term viability of the manufacturing facility and deliver environmental
improvements. The Company is seeking to modernise and enhance the site.

“Plans seek to modernise and enhance the site and enable the Company to reduce its environmental impact, improve operational efficiency and offer new business and revenue streams.

“Highways have however, raised concerns regarding the increase in vehicle movements and increased number of vehicles waiting to enter the site which will increase highway danger on Holyhead Road.

“The concerns raised by Highways are site management issues and have been raised with the applicant and the submission of a Site Transportation Management Plan will help eliminate any occasional queueing on the adjacent highway.

“Kronospan have provided additional information to help alleviate concerns to prevent vehicles queueing on the Holyhead Road. A traffic management plan is in place to deal with a flood of lorries arriving at the site together and the potential opening of both weighbridges for incoming traffic.

“The Management Plan will continue to be monitored to ensure the effectiveness of the implementation of the Traffic Management Plan.

“To refuse the application on highway grounds would be difficult to sustain.”

The application will be considered for approval by planning committee members at 4pm on Monday 4th March. The meeting will also be webcast live on the Wrexham Council website.

Picture: Planning document