RESIDENTS are "absolutely fed up" of complaining about dust issues around a wood panel manufacturing factory, a senior councillor has said.

Chirk Councillor Terry Evans told the Leader he is "not anti-Kronospan."

But he said years of concerns and complaints about dust fallout around the site have been ignored.

He said: "It's absolutely shocking.

"It doesn't matter who you tell about it - they all ignore it, including Kronospan and Wrexham Council.

"It's been going on for years and residents and I have been complaining.

"But nothing is happening.

"Whenever you mention anything about it, you're told 'we have investigated and there is nothing untoward.'

"And yet there is a chemical smell and dust fallout.

"Everyone is concerned about their health because there's dust in the atmosphere.

"They put a dust monitor on the school, but the manufacturer says you can't check dust fallout with it - so it's more or less useless.

"Every liaison we go to, people are absolutely fed up of complaining with no action taken - there's something seriously wrong."

Cllr Evans, who is also Wrexham Council's lead member for economy - economic development and regeneration, added: "I am not anti-Kronospan.

"I want them to be safe, successful and a good neighbour."

A spokesman for the company said: "Kronospan has regular council liaison meetings which Councillor Evans attends, 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.

"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."

Wrexham Council was approached by the Leader but declined to comment.