PLANS to increase a poultry plant’s production limit to a million chickens a week have been refused for a second time.

Maelor Foods in Cross Lanes resubmitted an application despite it being rejected by politicians in Wrexham in October because of the impact on road safety and nearby residents.

Planning committee members reaffirmed their decision after members of the community voiced objections to upping the current restriction of 400,000 birds per week.

It came despite claims from the company that it would create dozens of new jobs and inject an extra £110 million into the area’s economy.

Speaking on behalf of nearby residents at Wrexham’s Guildhall, Heather Rowlands said: “First it needs to be emphasised that the objection to this proposal is not about NIMBYism.

“This is more about highway and pedestrian safety.

“There was an understanding that this limit of 400,000 was put in place to protect highway and pedestrian safety as well as the general amenity of residents.

“Since these reports there have been no significant changes at the junction aside from an undertaking by Maelor Foods to undertake minor modifications.

“In the past there were no complaints about previous companies using the site, but since Maelor Foods has been there have been many ongoing complaints.

“Obnoxious odours and noise from the site have not been resolved despite the involvement of Natural Resources Wales.”

In response, a planning lawyer representing Maelor Foods said proposed changes to a nearby road junction would improve the situation at the site.

He added there would be a net reduction in the number of heavy goods vehicle travelling along roads in the area.

Stuart Andrews said: “My clients have gone to some length to understand and validate their understanding of vehicle movements from that site in the past.

“This proposal brings into regulation that part of the site in conjunction with the Maelor Foods site itself.

“Overall there will be a net improvement to highway safety in conjunction with this proposal and it’s commended to you on that basis.”

However, Marchwiel councillor John Phillips said he would be recommending the proposals for refusal for a second time.

He highlighted a number of problems encountered by residents of surrounding villages during the summer.

He said: “I challenge any member here today, would you like to live near to this?

“Since the factory came into operation with the production of 400,000 chickens, while most were able to enjoy the summer nearby residents have not been able to have their windows open, not been able to sit in their gardens and not able to sleep at night because of noxious smells in their homes when wind is blowing in their direction.

“Natural Resources Wales and our own department here at Wrexham Council have confirmed there is a problem at this site and we appreciate their work in proving this point.

“I would like to present this to our planning committee – what is more important 30 or 50 jobs or wellbeing of our communities?

“This would affect more residents than jobs that would be created.”

The majority of councillors voted in favour of rejecting the proposals.

An appeal has already been submitted regarding the original decision to refuse the plans and will be heard by planning inspectors in March.