A POULTRY plant’s proposals to increase its production limit to 1,000,000 chickens a week have been backed for approval despite widespread concerns.

Maelor Foods in Cross Lanes currently has permission to process no more than 400,000 birds per week at its factory.

However, Wrexham Council’s head of planning has recommended an application to increase the number by 150 per cent for approval after owners Salisbury Poultry said it would result in 200 new jobs.

It comes despite strong opposition from members of the local community, who have raised fears over air pollution, increased traffic and potential water contamination.

The proposals were suggested to be rejected by the authority’s own highways department because of the likelihood of danger to road users.

But chief planning officer Lawrence Isted said he was satisfied after the company said it would carry out road safety improvements.

In a letter outlining their concerns, Sesswick Community Council said: “The original condition of a 400,000 bird weekly limit was deemed necessary to protect the local environment and amenity of the occupiers of nearby properties.

“At this stage, the impact of these activities on highways, byways and junctions as well as the effects on the environment and amenity of the local area and residents cannot be fully assessed.

“Even now there are reports of heavy vehicles passing at 3 am.

“Even at 6am articulated vehicles on the forecourts fire up engines which run for a considerable time before moving off the site, creating a disturbance to the neighbouring properties.

“Any increase in this number will be very detrimental to the neighbourhood in many ways.”

The council’s business and investment team said Maelor Foods has already delivered an investment into the county of £20 million, and their latest plans would bring a wider range of job opportunities.

Mr Isted’s report also highlights an increase in demand for local and ethically sourced food, which has resulted in increased growth in the the industry.

He added that the suppliers of the birds would come from within a 50 mile radius.

Mr Isted said: “I acknowledge that the business has delivered and is delivering significant investment in the site and therefore in turn in the local economy.

“When this application was initially submitted, this posed a significant concern due to substandard visibility at the site access as well as concern about the impact upon the safe use of the A525/Pickhill Lane junctions.

“However, the acquisition of the adjacent site allows the applicants to carry out improvements to enable a splay of 2.4m x 110m to the south-west to be provided, thus exceeding the requirements set out above and resulting in a significant improvement to highway safety.

“Whilst noting concerns about odour and pollution, I have no reason to believe an increase in production capacity represents a significant increase in the risk of odour problems or pollution incidences occurring.

“Subject to appropriate conditions being imposed on this decision, as well as the other applications current before members I am satisfied that the level of production can be increased without adverse impacts to highway safety and residential amenity.”

The proposals will go before members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee on Monday, October 1.