Maelor Foods wins planning permission for expansion

15-May-2019 - Last updated on 15-May-2019 at 14:25 GMT

Maelor Foods has won planning permission for a site expansion that will lead to 80 jobs being created

Wrexham-based poultry processor Maelor Foods has finally won a lengthy battle for planning permission for a major expansion project at its Cross Lanes facility.

The business won an appeal after being refused planning permission on several occasions for an expansion to its site. The case was eventually referred to Hywel Wyn Jones, an inspector appointed by Welsh Ministers.

Despite opposition from residents, the site, formerly owned by Dairy Crest, was deemed suitable for the proposed expansion. In his report, Wyn Jones said that although the proposed increase in the scale of production would cause harm to highway safety and the living conditions of local residents, it would be outweighed by the considerable benefits of the scheme to the local economy.

When the expansion, which includes improvements to the local highway network, was completed, the business would be able to process up to one million birds per week at the facility. According to Maelor Foods, the new-look site will create a minimum of 80 jobs and lead to a £101m boost to the local economy.

Maelor Foods managing director Raj Mehta said: “We are very pleased to be able to draw a line under this protracted planning process. Having open communication between our neighbours, the community and local councillors is a priority and we will be looking to establish a formal and regular dialogue with them moving forward.

“We are grateful to the inspector for the time he spent understanding our intentions and the conditions [under which] we are prepared to operate to mitigate any impact on the local community.”