AIR quality monitoring equipment is set to be installed in Chirk following concerns about pollution from a wood panel factory.

The Kronospan facility on Holyhead Road was hit by a major fire in January which saw large plumes of smoke cover the town.

It led to fears being raised for the health of residents and also resulted in children from a nearby primary school being kept indoors.

Calls have since been mounting for emissions from Kronospan to be independently assessed.

It has now been confirmed that monitoring equipment will be put in place after permission was granted for two new gas engines to help power the factory.

Approval was given by Wrexham Council’s planning committee subject to the company paying for the apparatus, which will provide real time data for members of the public.

It came after Chirk councillor Frank Hemmings said he was happy for the agreement to go ahead.

Speaking at a meeting held at Wrexham’s Guildhall yesterday, (DEL MONDAY 2 MARCH) he said: “Following the problems we had a few weeks ago, it’s good to hear we’re now moving forward in being able to look at independent monitoring.

“I know your colleagues in public protection are quite happy with the air quality, but I think we need the community of Chirk to follow that and understand that the air quality is what we say it is.

“I’m really happy that yourselves, public protection and Kronospan have sat down together and come to this agreement.

“We’re moving in the right direction and I’m quite happy to support this application.”

The plans, which form part of £200m investment in the site, were originally meant to be decided at the start of this year.

However, they were deferred amid claims the proposals posed a risk to the wellbeing of residents.

Planning committee member Paul Pemberton said he was glad the air would be monitored, but asked for an assurance that enough money would be provided to fund the equipment.

He said: “We were in a bit of an awkward position last time and while we like to support industry it was a little bit too far.

“I’m pleased that Kronospan are actually going to be doing something.

“It will do their street cred and the village and the whole of Wrexham a lot more good by doing so.

“My only concern is with this 106 agreement coming in, are you going to generate enough money out of that to actually get the monitoring up and going and off the ground?”

Officers said the funding would be secured through a section 106 legal agreement and would be enough to cover the cost.

A group consisting of representatives from Wrexham Council, Kronospan, Chirk Town Council and Natural Resources Wales will be set up to assess the air quality and residents will able to access the data online.

Discussions have also taken place regarding the creation of a new access road serving the factory to ease traffic with a separate application expected at a later date.

At the end of the debate, councillors unanimously approved the construction of a building to house the two gas engines.