Working group aimed at addressing concerns over Kronospan site issues update on its progress

A working group aimed at addressing public concerns over the Kronospan site in Chirk has issued an update on its most recent meeting.

Made up of senior representatives of Kronospan, Chirk Town Council, Unite the Union, Wrexham Council and Natural Resources Wales – along with local MP Simon Baynes and AM Ken Skates, the group was set up with the aim of improving public confidence and communication around the work of the factory.

The group met in June of this year and again on October 1 following the inaugural meeting held in January 2020.

These meetings have been described as being “very effective”, with an update on some of the outcomes so far issued this week.

In a statement the working group said these include:-

• Installation of a permanent air quality monitor in Chirk with real-time results available for the public to view. A second air quality monitor is scheduled to be installed by the end of November to the north of Chirk town.
• Kronsopan has developed a public information website for the community. The website recently held the public consultation for a proposed development on site and Kronospan has committed to further develop the community facing website.
• A new Kronospan Liason Group has been formed to include Kronospan, Chirk Town Council representatives, Wrexham Council, Natural Resource Wales and Trade Union representatives to ensure and maintain communication and dialogue between all parties in the Chirk community.
• Kronospan has established a working group to review current odour controls on site to ensure that the site operates to the highest possible environmental standards.
• Recent tree planting undertaken to the north of the site is to be reviewed by Kronopsan with a consultation exercise to be undertaken with local residents to ensure all parties are satisfied.
• Natural Resource Wales (NRW) in consultation with Wrexham Council has clarified the regulatory roles and responsibilities for the Kronsopan site, including an update on the current environmental permit application.
• NRW intend to finalise the current assessment and report its findings to the group by early November. It is planned that a public consultation exercise will be undertaken in March/April 2022.
• Wrexham Council’s investigation into the logyard fire is nearing completion and is undertaken in line with council enforcement policy and relevant legal procedures and considerations.
• The MP and AM will continue on cross-party working on the issues.

The group has agreed to continue to work together and continue to focus on ensuring everyone is clear about the best way to address key issues of concern in the Chirk community.