The company set to take over full regulation of the Kronospan site is urging people to continue reporting issues regarding the site.

A public consultation was held last Wednesday at the Parish Hall in Chirk where representatives from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) attended to listen to the public’s thoughts on the factory.

The consultation took place after Kronospan has put forward a new proposal to invest £100 million in the site.

NRW currently share regulation of the site with Wrexham County Brough Council, which has received almost 500 complaints about the factory.

Julia Frost from NRW, says that once the regulation is handled only by NRW, they will be the company dealing with the complaints, and it is important for people to continue raising their issues.

She said: “We’ve had a lot of people come in today to share their thoughts with us.

“We’re encouraging the public to continue reporting the issues that they are affected by with regards to the factory.”

Nick Thomas from NRW, said: “I think the main issue is there is a lack of trust from people in Chirk when it comes to Kronospan.

“People have been unhappy about the emissions, noise and dust for a long time – these factors are making people very suspicious of any proposals that the factory brings forward.

“Kronospan has submitted the proposals to us. They’re hoping to control the dust more effectively and they’re hoping to bring in new machinery which is all going to come under the £100m cost.

“We’re now consulting with the public and the people of Chirk to gather their views on the matter.

“We’ll look at what people have said and do our own technical assessment of the proposal before we make a decision.

“We’re likely to make a decision in early 2019 when we’ll say we’re minded to accept or reject it.”

The current stage of public consultation closes on Friday, October 19.

To view the permit application visit https://naturalresources.wales/permits-and-permissions/permit-applications-consultations-and-decisions/current-consultations-environmental-permit-applications-1/?lang=en

To contact NRW, email enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk or call 0300 065 3000.