RESIDENTS of Chirk are at their "wits' end" after years of putting up with dust from a major wood processing plant, it has been said.
The Leader has reported numerous times over the years on concerns about wood particles gathering on and around properties in Chirk.
On Monday, July 18, residents awoke to find their homes and cars had been showered with wood fibres and dust following an incident at nearby Kronospan.
The Leader has spoken with residents, councillors and various authorities - as well as Kronospan itself - to get a wider view of how this ongoing issue is affecting people, what is being done to address it and how things might change in the future.
What actually caused the dust falling last week?
A letter from Wrexham Council's Specialist Officer (Environmental Health and Housing Standards), Toby Zorn, set out the circumstances leading to the incident at the plant last week.
Mr Zorn wrote: "Early Monday morning (July 18) an explosion relief panel on the MDF 2 dry cyclone dust filtration unit
activated, allowing a large amount of MDF dust to escape onto the roof of the process building.
"A south westerly wind then carried dust over a large area of North / Eastern Chirk, and as far as Pentre/ Halton.
"When the dust fallout was apparent to operators, the MDF 2 production line was shut down.
"Currently there is no MDF production at Kronospan, but the chip board process is still operating.
"An explosion is thought not to have occurred but the cause of the panel activation is still being investigated.
"Each panel, of which there are many across the production line facilities, has sensor switches (akin to intruder alarm sensors on doors and windows) that should notify the control room when the switch current is broken.
"Unfortunately this did not occur as a fault with the switch installation has subsequently been identified.
"This has already been remedied and all similar panel switches have been examined and where necessary remedial works carried out.
"The panel that activated has also been replaced and all the accumulated dust has been bagged and removed from the roof.
"Any remaining dust, lodged between grating and inaccessible to hand removal has been washed away.
"Kronospan has formally reported the incident to ourselves in accordance with the current Environmental Permit held by the company.
"Once we were notified of the incident an Officer from Public Protection visited and undertook monitoring of the areas of Chirk which were affected.
"Photographs were taken across the area to help build a picture of the range and extent of the incident."
READ MORE: Residents 'fed up' of complaining over Kronospan dust concerns in Chirk
First-hand accounts from residents who experience the issues
Chirk resident Frank Maddocks said: "My contention is the overnight noise.
"I rang Kronospan at 2.45am one morning almost in tears due to a lack of sleep and exhaustion because I was woken by the sound, as I am regularly.
"It's a very low, insidious droning noise and it seems to reverberate in the room.
"I have lived here since 1981 and these problems have been happening for about ten years.
"The other thing is the dust - we are breathing this every day. My car gets covered in the stuff."
He said while Monday's downpour of "big particles" of wood was a "one-off," Chirk does have regular ongoing issues with a fine layer of dust gathering on and around properties.
"We are not being listened to," he added. "Nothing ever happens."
"A lot of people won't even complain now - there's a kind of mute acceptance, and that's not good enough."
Richard Jeremy, who has lived in Chirk for 30 years, said: "It's a constant issue of dust and noise.
"It's a case of always cleaning, and more importantly - what you're breathing in.
"My Children have left Chirk. They wouldn't live here.
"And I wouldn't recommend anyone to live here.
"It's a lovely village and the people are great - but it's spoiled by this massive carbuncle."
What do Chirk's county councillors think about the problem?
Cllr Terry Evans (Chirk South) said: "I have been complaining for months and months on behalf of residents - they've been troubled by dust and noise and chemical smells for years.
"People are at their wits' end - they've got dust on their windowsills and cars daily.
"At the end of the day, we want Kropnospan to be successful, but we want them to be a good neighbour as well."
Cllr Frank Hemmings (Chirk North) said: "People are not happy. The most visible thing is the dust.
"We had a spate a few weeks ago where there was a lot of dust, and a lot of complaints came to us.
"It is a difficult one, they employ hundreds of people so we have to bear that in mind.
"But they have to learn to be a good neighbour.
Cllr Hemmings said he feels while past solutions have been put in place between Wrexham Council and Kronospan after complaints, there needs to be more "proactive" work to address the issues.
Both Councillors said Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is to take on regulatory oversight of the plant in the near future and there are hopes for an improvement in the situation.
READ MORE: Impact of "constant nuisance" dust described by Chirk resident
A planned change in regulation
Lyndsey Rawlinson, NRW Head of North East Wales Operations, said: “We are aware of the recent dust issue affecting the local community and empathise with the residents affected.
"We are currently directing any calls received to Wrexham County Borough Council, who presently regulate Kronospan’s activities linked to this issue.
"Natural Resources Wales has recently concluded the consultation on the draft consolidated permit and we are likely to complete the permit determination and permit issue in the next couple of months.
"Once the permit is issued, NRW will become the sole regulator of the Environmental Permit and will work closely with Kronospan to ensure improvements are made at the site to address issues such as this.”
Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes said: "“Many constituents have written to me about the problems they are having with dust from Kronospan – as well as noise and odour.
"I live near Chirk, and I am very sorry that they are being affected in this way which is completely unacceptable.
“Since being elected as the local MP in December 2019, I have worked hard with stakeholders (including Wrexham Council, Kronospan, the trade unions, Chirk Town Council, Natural Resources Wales and others) to improve matters but realise that, whilst some progress has been made, it is not enough.
"I am therefore pleased that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is now taking sole responsibility for the environmental regulation of Kronospan and will start in September to carry out thorough checks and take rapid action if environmental standards are not adhered to by the company.
“I realise that locally, many people have become very sceptical about prompt and effective action being taken but I am very hopeful that, this time with NRW, proper regulation will be enforced, starting this autumn.”
What does Kronospan have to say?
A Kronospan spokesman said: “Kronospan apologise for the process incident that occurred on Monday morning, the operation was stopped, the regulator and stakeholder group was informed. A number of complaints were received, in each case the resident has been contacted by a Kronospan representative.
"Over the years Kronospan has made continuous investments to improve and pre-empt any process incidents and will continue to do so.
"Kronospan has regular stakeholder meetings, where we discuss the measures in place on site to monitor air quality.
"The site operates in compliance with the conditions detailed in our environmental permit, which for the main operating business is currently issued by Wrexham County Borough Council.
"Natural Resources Wales have just concluded a consultation on a future draft permit which will fall under their regulation, this includes a number of improvements conditions, which Kronospan will comply with.
"Wrexham County Borough Council have installed the best available air quality monitoring equipment which they manage and they publish the results.
"Kronospan always does its best to be a good neighbour and minimise the impact of our operations on the community.
"If a resident of Chirk has a complaint or enquiry regarding an issue related to our operations they can contact the site directly on 01691 773361.
"This phone line is available 24 hours a day, and prompt reporting allows us to investigate immediately.”
The future of Chirk?
Resident Julie Davies-Jones said she also has worries for the future development of Chirk in relation to the dust.
She said: "Local residents are sick to death of being ignored and sick to death with the impact on well-being the dust nuisance causes and have again asked Wrexham Council why they are ignoring local advice on a new build site in the LDP.
"This week cars and homes have again been covered inside and out with dust (which has the appearance of wood fibres), children’s paddling pools are dirtied and we live with a constant deep concern regarding what we are breathing.
"To the outsider, the reports of monitors being installed, reported alteration of wind direction and promises of change sound good but to the people living on the inside the reality feels different.
"Wrexham Council concluded in their own reports that a nuisance of dust exists in Chirk and that they could not conclude the origin.
"Yet against local advice [the council is] pushing ahead to place a further 180 houses in the flight path of what they themselves define to be one of the worst areas of the nuisance in Chirk.
"We would ask again that the existing LDP Chirk site be removed from the plan immediately and the issues actually addressed.
"Other sites were offered by local council and it is felt that [this council is] remiss in ignoring local nuances. It’s simply disgraceful and against the LDP own policies on well-being."
Wrexham Council was approached by the Leader to comment on these concerns, but the authority opted not to.
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