Consultation launches on permit variation for Chirk wood panel manufacturer

A consultation on a draft permit for Kronospan Chirk has been launched today (16 June 2022) by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

Kronospan Limited have been operating a particleboard and medium density fibreboard (MDF) manufacturing plant in Chirk, North Wales for many years.

In March 2018 the Welsh Government issued a Direction which required NRW to consolidate the two regulators’ (Wrexham County Borough Council and NRW) existing permits for the site into one, with NRW becoming the sole regulator.

NRW have now completed a thorough assessment of the current activities at the site to ensure they meet current legal standards and best available techniques. The variation and consolidation of the two regulators’ permits into a draft for review and public consultation provides a legally robust baseline for NRW taking on overall environmental regulation of the site.

The consultation – which will run online for four weeks until 17 July 2022 - is designed to provide local businesses and nearby communities with the opportunity to have their say on the draft permit.

NRW will also be holding two drop-in sessions at Chirk Town Hall, on Tuesday 28 June 2 - 8pm, and Wednesday 29 June from 10am - 4pm. Appointments must be booked in advance by Sunday 26 June, via this link.

David Powell, NRW Operations Manager for North East Wales, said:

“We know that the future regulation of Kronospan is important to the local community.

“By hosting this consultation online and by hosting two drop-in sessions, we will be offering people an opportunity to share their views on the proposed changes.

“Any permit we grant will include appropriate conditions to protect human health and the environment.”

The application, supporting information and the consultation are available online:

English consultation link: https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/permitting-caniatau/kronospan-single-regulator-minded-to-consultation

Welsh consultation link: https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/permitting-caniatau/bwriad-gan-unig-reoleiddiwr-kronospan-i-gychwyn-ym.